System and method for bypassing data from egress facilities

ABSTRACT

An open architecture platform bypasses data from the facilities of a telecommunications carrier, e.g. an incumbent local exchange carrier, by distinguishing between voice and data traffic, and handling voice and data traffic separately. An SS7 gateway receives and transmits SS7 signaling messages with the platform. When signaling for a call arrives, the SS7 gateway informs a control server on the platform. The control server manages the platform resources, including the SS7 gateway, tandem network access servers (NASs) and modem NASs. A tandem NAS receives the call over bearer channels. The control server determines whether the incoming call is voice traffic or data traffic, by the dialed number, and instructs the tandem NAS how to handle the call. Voiced traffic is transmitted to a switch for transmission from the platform. Data traffic is terminated at a modem NAS, where it is converted into a form suitable for a data network, such as a private data network or an Internet services provider (ISP). The converted data is sent by routers to the data network. The data network need not convert the data, as the function has already been provided by the platform. In lieu of a conversion, the modems can create a tunnel (a virtual private network) between a remote server and the data network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/781,801,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,416,769, filed May 17, 2010, which is a continuationof Ser. No. 11/627,875, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,081, filed Jan. 26,2007, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/179,613, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,200,150, filed Jun. 24, 2002, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 09/196,756, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,169, filed Nov.20, 1998, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications networksand, more particularly, to a system and method for the signaling,routing and other manipulation of voice and data calls within the publicswitched telephone network.

2. Related Art

Telecommunication networks were originally designed to connect onedevice, such as a telephone, to another device using switching services.Circuit-switched networks provide a dedicated, fixed amount of capacity(a “circuit”) between two devices for the entire duration of atransmission session.

Originally, a circuit was created manually, i.e., by a direct connectionfrom a calling party to a human operator (a “ring down”) along withhuman cross-connection by the operator to a called party.

More recently, a circuit is set up between an originating switch and adestination switch using a process known as signaling. Signaling setsup, monitors, and releases connections in a circuit-switched system.Different signaling methods have been devised. Telephone systemsformerly used in-band signaling to set up and “tear down” calls. Signalsof an in-band signaling system are passed through the same channels asthe information being transmitted. Early electromechanical switches usedanalog or multi-frequency (MF) in-band signaling. Thereafter,conventional residential telephones used in-band dual-tone multiplefrequency (DTMF) signaling to connect to an end office switch. Here, thesame wires (and frequencies on the wires) were used to dial a number(using pulses or tones), as are used to transmit voice information.However, in-band signaling permitted unscrupulous callers to use adevice such as a whistle to mimic signaling sounds to commit fraud(e.g., to prematurely discontinue billing by an interexchange carrier(IXC), also known as long distance telephone company).

More recently, to prevent such fraud, out-of-band signaling systems wereintroduced that use, for example, a packet network for signaling that isseparate from the circuit switched network used for carryinginformation. For example, integrated services digital network (ISDN)uses a separate channel, a data (D) channel, to pass signalinginformation out-of-band. Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS) isa network architecture for out-of-band signaling. A popular version ofCCIS signaling is Signaling System 7 (SS7). SS7 is an internationallyrecognized system optimized for use in digital telecommunicationsnetworks.

SS7 out-of-band signaling provided additional benefits beyond fraudprevention. For example, out-of-band signaling eased quick adoption ofadvanced features (e.g., caller-id) by permitting modifications to theseparate signaling network. In addition, the SS7 network enabled longdistance “Equal Access” (i.e., 1+ dialing for access to any longdistance carrier) as required under the terms of the modified finaljudgment (MFJ) requiring divestiture of the Regional Bell OperatingCompanies (RBOCs) from their parent company, AT&T.

While SS7 and other out-of-band signaling systems have advantages overin-band systems, they still have deficiencies. For example, the SS7network is still more like X.25 rather than a broadband network. Also,SS7 is a limited protocol in that it only addresses setup, teardown, andmonitoring of calls.

An SS7 network includes a variety of components. Service Switch Points(SSPs) are telephone offices which are directly connected to an SS7network. All calls must originate in or be routed through an SSP switch.Calls are passed through connections between SSPs within thetelecommunications network. A Signal Transfer Point (STP) is a componentwhich passes signals between SSPs, other STPs, and Service ControlPoints (SCPs) for processing. An STP is a special application packetswitch which operates to pass signaling information. Two STPs may beused together to provide redundancy.

An SCP is a special application computer which maintains information ina database required by users of the network. SCP databases may include,for example, a credit card database for verifying charge information oran “800” database for processing toll-free calls. The components in theSS7 network are connected by links. Typically, links between SSPs andSTPs can be, for example, A, B, C, D, E or F links. Typically, redundantlinks are also used for connecting an SSP and its corresponding STPs.Customer premises equipment (CPE), such as a telephone, are connected toan SSP or an end office (EO).

To initiate a call in an SS7 telecommunications network, a calling partyusing a telephone connected to an originating end office (EO) switch,dials a telephone number of a called party. The telephone number ispassed from the telephone to the SSP at the originating end office(referred to as the “ingress EO”) of the calling party's local exchangecarrier (LEC). A LEC is commonly referred to as a local telephonecompany. First, the SSP will process triggers and internal route rulesbased on satisfaction of certain criteria. Second, the SSP will initiatefurther signals to another EO or access tandem (AT), for example, ifnecessary. The signaling information can be passed from the SSP to STPs,which route the signals for communication between the ingress EO and theterminating end office, or egress EO. The egress EO has a portdesignated by the telephone number of the called party. The call is setup as a direct connection between the EOs through tandem switches if nodirect trunking exists or if direct thinking is full. If the call is along distance call, i.e., between a calling party and a called partylocated in different local access transport areas (LATAs), then the callis connected through an inter exchange carrier (BCC) switch of any of anumber of long distance companies. Such a long distance call is commonlyreferred to as an inter-LATA call. LECs and IXCs are collectivelyreferred to as the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Emergence of a competitive LEC (CLEC) was facilitated by passage of theTelecommunications Act of 1996, which authorized competition in thelocal phone service market. Traditional LECs or RBOCs are now also knownas incumbent LECs (ILECs). Thus, CLECs compete with ILECs in providinglocal exchange services. A large cost associated with setting up andoperating a CLEC is the equipment needed to circuit switch data andvoice calls.

Since the LECs handle both voice and data communications, large amountsof information are communicated. Bandwidth concerns are always present.The PSTN still has deficiencies, particularly with regard to datacommunications, for such problems as network congestion and bottlenecks.

The PSTN is ill-equipped to handle the integration of data and voicecommunications. Today, data and voice calls are sent through the samenetwork. Data communications are presently layered on top of voiceswitching.

Circuit switching is the process of setting up and keeping a circuitopen between two or more users, such that the users have exclusive andfull use of the circuit until the connection is released. Packetswitching is like circuit switching in that it can also switchinformation between users. Unlike circuit switching, packet switchingdoes not leave a circuit open on a dedicated basis. Packet switching hasconventionally been a data switching technique. Packet switchingseparates a communication into pieces called packets. A packet cancontain addressing information, such as, for example, a destinationaddress. In packet switching, the addresses of a packet are read by aswitch and the packet is then routed down a path toward a switchassociated with the destination address. Different packets can takediverse paths to reach the eventual destination. Typically, in the lastswitching office before the packets reach the destination user, thepackets can be assembled and sequenced.

A channel, also known as a circuit, is a 64 (Kbps) building block of T1series. A circuit is derived from the digitization and coding of analogsignals. Digitization involves taking 8000 samples per second (i.e.,twice the highest voice frequency of 4,000 Hz) for voice traffic. Whencoded in 8 bit words a 64 Kbps building block is yielded. This circuitis termed a Level 0 Signal and is represented by DS-0 (Digital Signal atLevel 0). Combining 24 of these channels into a serial bit stream usingtime division multiplexing (TDM) is performed on a frame-by-frame basis.A frame is a sample of all 24 channels (i.e., the multiplicative productof 24 and 8 bits is 192 bits) plus a synchronization bit called aframing bit, which yields a block of 193 bits. Frames are transmitted ata rate of 8,000 per second (corresponding to the sampling rate), thuscreating a 1.544 Mbps (i.e., the product of 8,000 and 193 is 1.544 Mbps)transmission rate, which is the standard T1 rate. This rate is termedDS-1.

Queuing refers to the act of stacking or holding calls to be handled bya specific person, trunk or trunk group. Queuing theory deals with thestudy of the behavior of a system that uses queuing, such as a telephonesystem. Queuing is very important to the design of packet networks wherespeed of transmission more than offsets the delay of waiting for atransmission facility to become available.

Telephone call traffic is measured in terms of centi call seconds (CCS)(i.e., one hundred call seconds of telephone conversations). One hour ofcalling traffic, also known as an Erlang (named after a queuing theoryengineer), is equal to 36 CCS (i.e., the product of 60 minutes per hourand 60 seconds per minute divided by 100, the theoretical limit of atrunk). An Erlang is used to forecast trunking and TDM switching matrixcapacity. A “non blocking” matrix (i.e., the same number of lines andtrunks) can theoretically switch 36 CCS of traffic. Numerically, trafficon a trunk group, when measured in Erlangs, is equal to the averagenumber of trunks in use during the hour in question. For example, if agroup of trunks carries 20.25 Erlangs during an hour, a little more than20 trunks were busy.

At times of high data traffic, the internal CCS of call traffic of thetandem and egress switches climbs, resulting in such problems as networkblocking and busy signals. Data calls traditionally pass through tandemand egress switches before being switched to a Wide Area Network (WAN)access device. The tandem and egress switches have become bottlenecks.

Growth of the Internet has led to increased data communications trafficthat has exacerbated the problem. Corporations that provide remote modemaccess to data networks provide dial-up and direct connections. Oneimportant example of such corporations are Internet Service Providers(ISPs) provide dial-up and direct connection access to Internetsubscribers. Dial-up access is based on transmission using the serialline interface protocol (SLIP) or point-to-point protocol (PPP) to theISP's network access device. An ISP's network access device can includea communications server. A communications server represents one ofseveral devices connected to a local area network (LAN) or wide areanetwork (WAN). A network router can be connected to the LAN. A networkrouter can be, for example, a computer running routing software, or adedicated routing device. The router's serial port is used to provide ahigh-speed communications connection from the ISP to an Internet networkservice provider (NSP).

Many ISPs are small, start-up companies that face challenges inobtaining the startup capital required to fund large capitalexpenditures required to purchase the data termination and protocolconversion equipment, including routers, communications servers, andracks filled with modems. ISPs must also expend significant sums ofmoney to the ILEC for large numbers of access lines required to passdata calls through tandem and egress switches before being switched toWAN access devices. ISPs must pass on these costs to their subscribers.

Similarly, a business entity must also invest substantial capital topurchase communications equipment, when, for example, the entity needsto provide employees remote access to a private data network.

The attributes of modem or Internet-type data traffic are very differentfrom those of voice traffic. First, the traffic is qualitativelydifferent. The duration of data traffic (e.g., 20 minutes, 12 hours, ormore) is typically longer than voice traffic (e.g., 3 minutes) andtherefore requires different queuing theory. Ironically, a data calloften does not even need access to the line all the time since anInternet call can contain “bursty traffic”, i.e., intermittent bursts ofupstream and downstream traffic. Because voice and modem traffic arestructurally different, the probability distribution must be adjustedaccordingly. The statistical distribution for voice calls is an“exponential distribution,” i.e., most calls are 3 minutes or less induration, and there is a rapidly decreasing number of calls lastinglonger than 3 minutes. Data calls (e.g., modem, fax, internet, etc.)have a mean holding time on the order of 20 minutes, and thedistribution of holding times instead of having an exponentialdistribution, has a “power law distribution,” meaning it is notextraordinary to encounter calls of very long duration such as, e.g., 12hours, a day, or even longer.

Second, modem internet traffic is also quantitatively different fromvoice traffic. The Internet modem traffic generates much higher loads.Residential lines have been engineered expecting to generate loads of 3or 4 CCS, and business lines, 5 or 6 CCS. If the same customer beginsusing the same line for Internet traffic, the load can easily double ortriple.

Today, the public network is optimized for voice. However, modem traffichas overtaken voice in the local exchange. Queuing theory has not beenadjusted for this occurrence, resulting in public network dysfunction.For example, growth in popularity of fixed rate, unlimited accessservices from ISPs has excessively burdened the PSTN circuit-switchinfrastructure. Each unlimited access connection can tie up a dedicatedcircuit through a tandem switch and/or an egress end office (EO) switch.What is needed then is an improved system for handling datacommunications, which would allow data to bypass the local exchange'segress switches and the associated costs from local telephone companies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a system implementation and a methodimplementation. The system implementation is directed to a system forbypassing the egress facilities of a telecommunications system. Thesystem comprises a gateway, a network access server and a controlserver. The gateway communicates with a telecommunications carrier byreceiving and transmitting signaling messages. The network access serverterminates data calls for termination processing and/or forre-originating said data calls. The control server communicates with thegateway for distinguishing between voice calls and data calls receivedfrom the telecommunications carrier and for sending the data calls tothe network access server.

The gateway communicates with a switch facility in thetelecommunications carrier via the signaling messages. The switch canbe, for example, a class 3/4 access tandem switch or a class 5 endoffice switch.

The gateway can be, for example, a first application program running ona host computer; and the control server can be a second applicationprogram running on the host computer or on a second host computer. Thefirst application program and the second application programintercommunicate.

In one embodiment, the control server has a communications portion forcommunicating with the gateway. The communications portion of thecontrol server and the gateway communicate, for example, via an X.25protocol format, a transmission control program, internet protocol(TCP/IP) packet format, a user datagram protocol, internet protocol(UDP/IP) packet format. Many other formats are available as well.

In one embodiment, the control server has a communications portion forcommunicating with a communications portion of the network accessserver. The communications portion of the control server and thecommunications portion of the network access server communicate via aprotocol such as the network access server (NAS) messaging interface(NMI) protocol (described below) and/or an IPDC protocol (provided in apublically available document, as noted below).”

In one embodiment, the network access server extends a first network toa second network by establishing a protocol tunnel for the data calls.For example, the first network is a virtual private network and thesecond network is a data network. The tunnel is established using apoint-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP).

In an alternative embodiment to the latter, the network access serverconverts the data calls from a first digitized format into a seconddigitized format for delivery of the data calls to a destination datanetwork. The network access server comprises a first device, this firstdevice terminating the data calls on at least one modem. For example,this first device is a modem network access server bay.

In a preferred embodiment, the first digitized format can be atransmission control program, internet protocol (TCP/IP) packet format,or a user datagram protocol, internet protocol (UDP/IP) packet format,an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell packet format, a point-to-pointtunneling protocol (PPTP) format, a NETBIOS extended user interface(NETBEUI) protocol format, an Appletalk protocol format, a DECnet,BANYAN/VINES, an internet packet exchange (IPX) protocol format, and aninternet control message protocol (ICMP) protocol format. The secondformat can be, for example, a serial line interface protocol (SLIP)protocol format, or a point-to-point (PPP) protocol format. However, thelist of formats that can be used for the first format and the secondformat can be the same.

The network access server can comprise a second device for time divisionmultiplexing the data calls onto the network access server. The seconddevice can be a tandem network access server bay.

The system can further include a database for distinguishing betweenvoice calls and data calls. The database includes a table comprisingcalled party numbers and the terminating points corresponding to thecalled party numbers. If the control server determines that a calledparty number corresponds to a data modem, then the call is a data call.

In one embodiment, the system further includes a voice switch forswitching the voice calls and for transmitting the voice calls from thesystem.

The system can be implemented as an open architecture platform that isleased by or owned by an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC), aninterexchange carrier (IXC), a competitive local exchange carrier(CLEC), or an enhanced services provider. In one embodiment, thegateway, control server, network access server, and the voice switch arecollocated. In another embodiment, the gateway, control server, networkaccess server, and the voice switch are in different geographicalregions.

The method implementation of the invention is directed to a method forbypassing data from egress facilities of a telecommunications carrier.The method includes establishing a call with the open architecturetelecommunications system, determining whether the call is a voice callor a data call, and terminating the call onto a network access serverfor termination processing if the call is a data call.

The step of establishing a call with the telecommunications systemincludes receiving signaling information to set up a call coming intothe open architecture telecommunications system, informing a controlserver that a call has arrived on the open architecturetelecommunications system, and receiving the call at the openarchitecture telecommunications system. The step of receiving signalinginformation comprises receiving signaling information at a gateway. Inone embodiment, signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling information isreceived at the gateway.

The step of determining whether the call is a voice call or a data callincludes using a telephone number of a called party to determine whetherthe call is a voice call or a data call. The telephone number can be,for example, a number used to access at least one network device of anInternet Services Provider (ISP), at least one network device of acompetitive local exchange (CLEC) carrier, or a customer premisesequipment (CPE).

In one embodiment, the step of terminating the call onto a networkaccess server for termination processing includes converting the callfrom a first protocol to a second protocol. The first protocol caninclude, for example, a transmission control program, internet protocol(TCP/IP) packet format, or a user datagram protocol, internet protocol(UDP/IP) packet format. The second protocol can be the same formats aswell, though the second format is preferably different than the firstprotocol format.

In another embodiment, the step of terminating the call onto a networkaccess server for termination processing includes providing a protocoltunnel from a first network to a second network. Here, it is possible touse a virtual private network protocol to extend the first network tothe second network. The virtual private network protocol can be, forexample, a point-to-point tunneling (PPTP) protocol. The first networkcan be a virtual private network, whereas the second network can be adata network.

The terminating step can further include terminating the call to a voiceswitch if the call is a voice call. The voice switch will switch andtransmit the call.

The present invention provides a number of important features andadvantages. First, the open architecture telecommunications system (orplatform), employing SS7 signaling and open architecture protocolmessaging, uses application logic to identify and direct incoming datacalls straight to a terminal server. This permits the bypassing of avoice switch entirely. This results in significant cost savings for anentity (such as an ISP, an ILEC, or a CLEC) providing service, ascompared to the conventional means of delivering data calls through theILEC. This decrease in cost results partially from bypass of the egressILEC end office switch for data traffic.

A further advantage for ISPs is that they are provided data in thedigital form used by data networks (e.g., IP data packets), rather thanthe digital signals conventionally used by switched voice networks(e.g., PPP signals). Consequently, they need not perform costly modemconversion processes that would otherwise be necessary. The eliminationof many telecommunications processes frees up the functions that ISPs,themselves, would have to perform to provide Internet access.

By separating voice and data traffic, and circuit-switching only thevoice traffic through a traditional switch (e.g., a NORTEL DMS 500), theCLEC can use a smaller voice switch, decreasing the capital expense itmust pass on to its customers (including ISPs). Thus, it becomes lessexpensive for the ISPs to route data traffic through a CLEC.

By differentiating between or separating the voice and data traffic on asingle platform, different types of traffic can be optimally routed.Thus, for example, video traffic being transported over a modem, can bemore efficiently routed over an appropriate carrier rather than througha dedicated circuit switched line.

The open architecture telecommunications system can virtually handle aninfinite number of data modem traffic destined for Internet serviceproviders (ISPs). This system is scalable by using fewer intelligentnetwork access devices than conventionally used. The present inventionobviates the need to purchase additional circuit switching hardware tosupport switching of data traffic.

The open architecture telecommunications system also enables the use ofa modem pool at, for example, a CLEC. This is advantageous to the ISPs,or business entities owning private data networks, because it offloadscomplex functions from ISPs to a specialized platform (also known as aNetwork Service Provider (NSP)) and redistributes capital expendituresto the CLEC NSP. The CLEC NSP often has better access to investmentcapital than would an ISP. The CLEC NSP also benefits from economies ofscale by servicing multiple ISPs with a large pool of modems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram providing an overview of a standardtelecommunications network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a standardtelecommunications network;

FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling network in greater detail;

FIG. 4 provides an overview of the present invention in that it providesan enhanced telecommunications network;

FIG. 5 illustrates an open architecture platform in detail;

FIG. 6 illustrates an object oriented or wire line protocol format OpenArchitecture SS7 Gateway application and SS7 adapter communicatingdirectly with lower level libraries;

FIG. 7 illustrates an object oriented or wire line protocol format OpenArchitecture Control Server application;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary Network Access Server bay;

FIG. 9A is a more elaborate view of the present invention;

FIG. 9B depicts multiple collocated or geographically diverse SS7Gateways, Control Servers, Databases and Network Access Servers;

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, are flow charts illustrating how an originatingcaller gains access to an open architecture platform;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart describing how the open architecture platformhandles an inbound call;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a complex outbound call;

FIG. 13 is a state diagram illustrating NAS side inbound call handlingon the open architecture platform of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are flow charts illustrating a state diagram of NASside exception handling;

FIG. 15 is a state diagram illustrating NAS side release requesthandling;

FIG. 16 is a state diagram illustrating NAS side release TDM connectionhandling;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are state diagrams illustrating NAS side continuitytest handling; and

FIGS. 18A and 18B are state diagrams illustrating NAS side outbound callhandling initiated by a NAS for use in callback.

In the figures, like reference numbers generally indicate identical,functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The figurein which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s)in the reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Table of Contents I. An Example Environment II. Definitions III.Introduction A. An Overview of a Telecommunications Network B. TheSignaling Network IV. The Present Invention A. Overview of Data BypassB. Detailed Description of Data Bypass 1. The Open Architecture Platform2. Data Bypass Operations 3. NAS Bay to GW Communications 4. ControlMessages 5. A Detailed View of the Control Messages a. Startup Messagesb. Protocol Error Messages c. System Configuration Messages d. TelcoInterface Configuration Messages e. Gateway Configuration Messages f.Maintenance-Status (State) Messages g. Continuity Test Messages h.Keepalive Test Messages i. LAN Test Messages j. DTMF Function Messagesk. Inbound Call Handling Messages l. Outbound Call Handling Messages m.Pass-through Call Handling Messages n. Call Clearing Messages 6. ControlMessage Parameters 7. A Detailed View of the Control Messages a. StartupFlow b. Module Status Notification c. Line Status Notification Flow d.Blocking of Channels Flow e. Unblocking of Channels Flow f. Inbound CallFlow (Without Loopback Continuity Testing) g. Inbound Call Flow (WithLoopback Continuity Testing) h. Outbound Call Flow (Starting from theNAS) i. Outbound Call Flow (Starting from the GW) j. Outbound Call Flow(Starting from the NAS, with Continuity Testing) k. TDM Pass-throughCall Request Flow (Inter-switch Connection) l. Call Releasing Flow (fromNAS) m. Call Releasing Flow (from GW) n. Complex Outbound Call RequestFlow Example o. Continuity Test Flow p. Keep-alive Test Flow q. ResetRequest Flow V. Conclusion

I. AN EXAMPLE ENVIRONMENT{TC \I1″}

The present invention is described in terms of an example environment.The example environment uses an open architecture platform fortransmission of voice and data information received from atelecommunications carrier. As used herein, a telecommunications carriercan include domestic entities such as ILECs, CLECs, IXCs and EnhancedService Providers (ESPs), as well as global entities recognized by thoseskilled in the art. In addition, as used herein a telecommunicationssystem includes domestic systems used by such entities as ILECs, CLECs,IXCs and Enhanced Service Providers (ESPs), as well as global systemsrecognized by those skilled in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the open architecture platform isimplemented on a SUN Workstation model 450, available from SunMicrosystems, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. The Sun workstation isinterconnected with tandem network access service (NAS) bays and modemNAS bays and provides signaling and control functions. The tandem NASbays and modem NAS bays can be ASCEND Access Concentrators, model TNT,available from Ascend Communications, Inc., Alameda, Calif. Voicetraffic is received at the tandem NAS bays and routed to a NORTEL DMSswitch, model DMS 500, available from NORTEL, Richardson, Tex. forrouting to a called party.

Data traffic is received at the tandem NAS bays, and is routed to amodem NAS bay for modem termination, where the data traffic is modulatedfrom, for example, the point-to-point protocol (PPP) to an auxiliaryprotocol such as, for example, the internet protocol (IP) forreorigination and transmission to a data network.

In the alternative, a virtual private networking protocol, such as thepoint-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP), can be used to create a“tunnel” between a remote user and a data network. A tunnel permits anetwork administrator to extend a virtual private network from a server(e.g., a Windows NT server) to a data network (e.g., the Internet).

Where a conversion does take place, the converted data traffic isrouted, for example, over an Ethernet/WAN (e.g., an Ethernet switch)connection to an internal backbone on the network, and sent to networkrouters for transmission to a data network, such as for example thenetwork of an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Network routers caninclude, for example, a computer, such as the SUN workstation runningrouting software or a dedicated routing device such as various modelsfrom CISCO of San Jose, Calif., ASCEND of Alameda, Calif., NETOPIA ofAlameda, Calif., or 3COM of Santa Clara, Calif.

Although the invention is described in terms of this exampleenvironment, it is important to note that description in these terms isprovided for purposes of illustration only. It is not intended that theinvention be limited to this example environment or to the preciseinter-operations between the above-noted devices. In fact, after readingthe following description, it will become apparent to a person skilledin the relevant art how to implement the invention in alternativeenvironments.

The invention provides two functions which those skilled in the art willrecognize can be implemented in many ways. The first function is thatthe invention bypasses data from the egress facilities used to completea call. This includes, for example, the network nodes or systems used toterminate a switched voice call to a called party or to terminate a dataconnection with a data network.

The second function is that the invention provides for termination andreorigination of the call. In one embodiment, data is converted from afirst digital form (e.g., in a point-to-point (PPP) digital format) usedby the ingress telecommunications services provider (telecommunicationscarriers including enhanced service providers) to a second form used bya destination data network (e.g., IP data packets). This function istraditionally performed by the entities controlling the destination datanetwork (e.g., ISPs).

In another embodiment, a virtual private networking protocol (e.g., apoint-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP)), can be used to create a“tunnel” between a remote user and a data network. The call terminatesat the modem and reoriginates from that destination to another point.

After having the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled inthe art will recognize that many types of resources, whether collocatedor geographically separated, may be used to perform these functions.

II. DEFINITIONS{TC \I1″}

Table 1 below defines common telecommunications terminology. These termsare used throughout the remainder of the description of the invention.

TABLE 1 Term Definition local exchange carrier LECs are providers oflocal telecommunications (LEC) services. inter-exchange carrier IXCs areproviders of US domestic long distance (IXC) telecommunicationsservices. AT&T, Sprint and MCI are example IXCs. incumbent LEC (ILEC)ILECs are the traditional LECs, which include the Regional BellOperating Companies (RBOCs). competitive LEC (CLEC) CLECs aretelecommunications services providers capable of providing localservices that compete with ILECS. A CLEC may or may not handle IXCservices as well. local access and transport A LATA is a region in whicha LEC offers services. area (LATA) There are 161 LATAs of these localgeographical areas within the United States. end office (EO) An EO is aclass 5 switch used to switch local calls within a LATA. Subscribers ofthe LEC are connected (“homed”) to EOs, meaning that EOs are the lastswitches to which the subscribers are connected. central office (CO) ACO is a facility that houses an EO homed. EOs are often called COs.access tandem (AT) An AT is a class 3/4 switch used to switch callsbetween EOs in a LATA. An AT provides subscribers access to the IXCs, toprovide long distance calling services. An access tandem is a networknode. Other network nodes include, for example, a CLEC, or otherenhanced service provider (ESP), an international gateway or globalpoint-of-presence (GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral(IP). switchinghierarchy or An office class is a functional ranking of a telephoneoffice classification central office switch depending on transmissionrequirements and hierarchical relationship to other switching centers.Prior to divestiture, an office classification was the number assignedto offices according to their hierarchical function in the U.S. publicswitched network (PSTN). The following class numbers are used: class 1 -Regional Center(RC), class 2 - Sectional Center (SC), class 3 - PrimaryCenter (PC), class 4 - Toll Center (TC) if operators are present or elseToll Point (TP), class 5 - End Office (EO) a local central office. Anyone center handles traffic from one to two or more centers lower in thehierarchy. Since divestiture and with more intelligent software inswitching offices, these designations have become less firm. The class 5switch was the closest to the end subscriber. Technology has distributedtechnology closer to the end user, diffusing traditional definitions ofnetwork switching hierarchies and the class of switches. class 5 switchA class 5 switching office is an end office (EO) or the lowest level oflocal and long distance switching, a local central office. The switchclosest to the end subscriber. class 4 switch A class 4 switching officewas a Toll Center (TC) if operators were present or else a Toll Point(TP); an access tandem (AT) has class 4 functionality. class 3 switch Aclass 3 switching office was a Primary Center (PC); an access tandem(AT) has class 3 functionality. class 1 switch A class 1 switchingoffice, the Regional Center(RC), is the highest level of local and longdistance switching, or “office of last resort” to complete a call.transmission control TCP/IP is a protocol that provides communicationsprotocol/internet protocol between interconnected networks. The TCP/IP(TCP/IP) protocol is widely used on the Internet, which is a networkcomprising several large networks connected by high-speed connections.internet protocol (IP) IP is part of the TCP/IP protocols. It is used torecognize incoming messages, route outgoing messages, and keep track ofInternet node addresses (using a number to specify a TCP/IP host on theInternet). IP corresponds to network layer of OSI. transmission controlTCP is an end-to-end protocol that operates at the protocol (TCP)transport and sessions layers of OSI, providing delivery of data bytesbetween processes running in host computers via separation andsequencing of IP packets. point-to-point (PPP) PPP is a protocolpermitting a computer to establish protocol a connection with theInternet using a modem. PPP supports high-quality graphical front ends,like Netscape. point-to-point tunneling A virtual private networkingprotocol, point-to-point protocol (PPTP) tunneling protocol (PPTP), canbe used to create a “tunnel” between a remote user and a data network. Atunnel permits a network administrator to extend a virtual privatenetwork (VPN) from a server (e.g., a Windows NT server) to a datanetwork (e.g., the Internet). point of presence (POP) A POP refers tothe location within a LATA where the IXC and LEC facilities interface.global point of presence A GPOP refers to the location whereinternational (GPOP) telecommunications facilities and domesticfacilities interface, an international gateway POP. bearer (B) channelsBearer (B) channels are digital channels used to carry both digitalvoice and digital data information. An ISDN bearer channel is 64,000bits per second, which can carry PCM-digitized voice or data. Internetservice provider An ISP is a company that provides Internet access to(ISP) subscribers. integrated services digital ISDN is a network thatprovides a standard for network (ISDN) communications (voice, data andsignaling), end-to- end digital transmission circuits, out-of-bandsignaling, and a features significant amount of bandwidth. local areanetwork (LAN) A LAN is a communications network providing connectionsbetween computers and peripheral devices (e.g., printers and modems)over a relatively short distance (e.g., within a building) understandardized control. private branch exchange A PBX is a private switchlocated on the premises of (PBX) a user. The user is typically a privatecompany which desires to provide switching locally. customer premisesCPE refers to devices residing on the premises of a equipment (CPE)customer and used to connect to a telephone network, including ordinarytelephones, key telephone systems, PBXs, video conferencing devices andmodems. wide area network (WAN) A WAN is a data network that extends aLAN over the circuits of a telecommunications carrier. The carrier istypically a common carrier. A bridging switch or a router is used toconnect the LAN to the WAN. public switched telephone The PSTN is theworldwide switched voice network. network (PSTN) packetized voice orvoice One example of packetized voice is voice over over a backboneinternet protocol (VOIP). Voice over packet refers to the carrying oftelephony or voice traffic over a data network, e.g. voice over frame,voice over ATM, voice over Internet Protocol (IP), over virtual privatenetworks (VPNs), voice over a backbone, etc. digitized data (or digitalDigitized data refers to analog data that has been data) sampled into abinary representation (i.e., comprising sequences of 0's and 1's).Digitized data is less susceptible to noise and attenuation distortionsbecause it is more easily regenerated to reconstruct the originalsignal. number planning area NPA is an area code. NXX is an exchange,(NPA); NXX identifying the EO homed to the subscriber. (The homed EO istypically called a central office (CO).) digital access and cross- ADACS is a device providing digital routing and connect system (DACS)switching functions for T1 lines, as well as DS0 portions of lines, fora multiple of T1 ports. modified final judgment Modified final judgment(MFJ) was the decision (MFJ) requiring divestiture of the Regional BellOperating Companies (RBOCs) from their parent company, AT&T. equalaccess 1+ dialing as used in US domestic calling for access to any longdistance carrier as required under the terms of the modified finaljudgment (MFJ) requiring divestiture of the Regional Bell OperatingCompanies (RBOCs) from their parent company, AT&T. regional Belloperating RBOCs are the Bell operating companies providing companies(RBOCs) LEC services after being divested from AT&T. inter machine trunk(IMT) An IMT is a circuit between two commonly- connected switches.network node A network node is a generic term for the resources in atelecommunications network, including switches, DACS, regenerators, etc.Network nodes essentially include all non-circuit (transport) devices.Other network nodes can include, for example, equipment of a CLEC, orother enhanced service provider (ESP), a point-of-presence (POP), aninternational gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP). intelligentperipheral An intelligent peripheral is a network system (e.g. a generalpurpose computer running application logic) in the Advanced IntelligentNetwork Release 1 (AIN) architecture. It contains a resource controlexecution environment (RCEE) functional group that enables flexibleinformation interactions between a user and a network. An intelligentperipheral provides resource management of devices such as voiceresponse units, voice announcers, and dual tone multiple frequency(DTMF) sensors for caller- activated services. The intelligentperipheral is accessed by the service control point (SCP) when servicesdemand its interaction. Intelligent peripherals provide an intelligentnetwork with the functionality to allow customers to define theirnetwork needs themselves, without the use of telephone companypersonnel. An intelligent peripheral can provide a routing decision thatit can terminate, but perhaps cannot regenerate. telecommunicationscarrier A LEC, a CLEC, an IXC, an Enhanced Service Provider (ESP), anintelligent peripheral (IP), an international/global point-of-presence(GPOP), i.e., any provider of telecommunications services. calling partyThe calling party is the caller placing a call over any kind of networkfrom the origination end. called party The called party is the callerreceiving a call sent over a network at the destination or terminationend. ingress Ingress refers to the connection from a calling party ororigination. egress Egress refers to the connection from a called partyor termination at the destination end of a network, to the serving wirecenter (SWC). ingress EO The ingress EO is the node or serving wirecenter (SVC) with a direct connection to the calling party, theorigination point. The calling party is “homed” to the ingress EO.egress EO The egress EO is the node or destination EO with a directconnection to the called party, the termination point. The called partyis “homed” to the egress EO. signaling system 7 (SS7) SS7 is a type ofcommon channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) used widely throughout theworld. The SS7 network provides the signaling functions of indicatingthe arrival of calls, transmitting routing and destination signals, andmonitoring line and circuit status. centum call seconds (CCS) Telephonecall traffic is measured in terms of centum call seconds (CCS) (i.e.,one hundred call seconds of telephone conversations). 1/36 of an Erlang.Erlang An Erlang (named after a queuing theory engineer) is one hour ofcalling traffic, i.e. it is equal to 36 CCS (i.e., the product of 60minutes per hour and 60 seconds per minute divided by 100). An Erlang isused to forecast trunking and TDM switching matrix capacity. A“non-blocking” matrix (i.e., the same number of lines and trunks) cantheoretically switch 36 CCS of traffic. Numerically, traffic on a trunkgroup, when measured in Erlangs, is equal to the average number oftrunks in use during the hour in question. Thus, if a group of trunkscarries 20.25 Erlangs during an hour, a little more than 20 trunks werebusy. Enhanced Service Provider A network services provider. (ESP) trunkA trunk connects an access tandem (AT) to an end office (EO). intermachine trunk (IMT) An inter-machine trunk (IMT) is a circuit betweentwo commonly-connected switches. Private Line with a dial A private lineis a direct channel specifically tone dedicated to a customer's usebetween two specificed points. A private line with a dial tone canconnect a PBX or an ISP's access concentrator to an end office (e.g. achannelized T1 or PRI). A private line can also be known as a leasedline. plain old telephone system The plain old telephone system (POTS)line provides (POTS) basic service supplying standard single linetelephones, telephone lines and access to the public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN). All POTS lines work on loop start signaling. One“starts” (seizes) a phone line or trunk by giving a supervisory signal(e.g. taking the phone off hook). Loop start signaling involves seizinga line by bridging through a resistance the tip and ring (both wires) ofa telephone line. integrated service digital An ISDN Basic RateInterface (BRI) line provides 2 network (ISDN) basic rate bearer Bchannels and 1 data D line (known as interface (BRI) line “2B + D” overone or two pairs) to a subscriber. ISDN primary rate interface An ISDNPrimary Rate Interface (PRI) line provides (PRI) the ISDN equivalent ofa T1 circuit. The PRI delivered to a customer's premises can provide23B + D (in North America) or 30B + D (in Europe) channels running at1.544 megabits per second and 2.048 megabits per second, respectively.Pipe or dedicated A pipe or dedicated communications facilitycommunications facility connects an ISP to the internet.

III. INTRODUCTION{TC \I1″} A. An Overview of a TelecommunicationsNetwork{TC \I2″}

FIG. 1 is a block diagram providing an overview of a standardtelecommunications network 100 providing local exchange carrier (LEC)services within a local access and transport area (LATA).

Telecommunications network 100 provides a switched voice connection froma calling party 102 to a called party 110, as well as a data connectionfrom calling party 102 to, for example, an Internet service provider(ISP) 112. Calling party 102 and called party 110 can be ordinarytelephone equipment, key telephone systems, private branch exchanges(PBXs), or applications running on a host computer. ISP 112 can in thealternative be, for example, a private data network. For example,calling party 102 can be an employee working on a notebook computer at aremote location who is accessing his employer's private data networkthrough, for example, a dial-up modem connection.

FIG. 1 also includes end offices (EOs) 104 and 108. EO 104 is called aningress EO because it provides a connection from calling party 102 topublic switched telephone network (PSTN) facilities. EO 108 is called anegress EO because it provides a connection from the PSTN facilities to acalled party 110. In addition to ingress EO 104 and egress EO 108, thePSTN facilities associated with telecommunications network 100 includean access tandem (AT) 106 that provides access to one or moreinter-exchange carriers (IXCs) for long distance traffic. Alternatively,it would be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art thatAT 106 could also be, for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced serviceprovider (ESP), an international gateway or global point-of-presence(GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral.

EO 104 and AT 106 are part of a switching hierarchy. EO 104 is known asa class 5 office and AT 106 is a class 3/4 office switch. Prior to thedivestiture of the RBOCs from AT&T, an office classification was thenumber assigned to offices according to their hierarchical function inthe U.S. public switched network (PSTN). An office class is a functionalranking of a telephone central office switch depending on transmissionrequirements and hierarchical relationship to other switching centers. Aclass 1 office was known as a Regional Center (RC), the highest leveloffice, or the “office of last resort” to complete a call. A class 2office was known as a Sectional Center (SC). A class 3 office was knownas a Primary Center (PC). A class 4 office was known as either a TollCenter (TC) if operators were present, or otherwise as a Toll Point(TP). A class 5 office was an End Office (EO), i.e., a local centraloffice, the lowest level for local and long distance switching, and wasthe closest to the end subscriber. Any one center handles traffic fromone or more centers lower in the hierarchy. Since divestiture and withmore intelligent software in switching offices, these designations havebecome less firm. Technology has distributed functionality closer to theend user, diffusing traditional definitions of network hierarchies andthe class of switches.

Network 100 includes an Internet service provider (ISP) 112. TheInternet is a well-known, worldwide network comprising several largenetworks connected together by data links. These links include, forexample, Integrated Digital Services Network (ISDN), T1, T3, FDDI andSONET links. Alternatively, an internet can be a private networkinterconnecting a plurality of LANs and WANs, such as, for example, anintranet. ISP 112 provides Internet services for subscribers such ascalling party 102.

To establish a connection with ISP 112, calling party 102 can use a hostcomputer connected to a modem (modulator/demodulator). The modem willmodulate data from the host computer into a form (traditionally ananalog form) for transmission to the LEC facilities. Typically, the LECfacilities convert the incoming analog signal into a digital form. Inone embodiment, the data is converted into the point-to-point protocol(PPP) format. (PPP is a well-known protocol that permits a computer toestablish a connection with the Internet using a standard modem. Itsupports high-quality, graphical user-interfaces, such as Netscape.) Asthose skilled in the art will recognize, other formats are available,including a transmission control program, internet protocol (TCP/IP)packet format, a user datagram protocol, internet protocol (UDP/IP)packet format, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell packet format, aserial line interface protocol (SLIP) protocol format, a point-to-point(PPP) protocol format, a point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP)format, a NETBIOS extended user interface (NETBEUI) protocol format, anAppletalk protocol format, a DECnet, BANYAN/VINES, an internet packetexchange (IPX) protocol format, and an internet control message protocol(ICMP) protocol format.

Note that FIG. 1 and other figures described herein include lines whichmay refer to communications lines or which may refer to logicalconnections between network nodes, or systems, which are physicallyimplemented by telecommunications carrier devices. These carrier devicesinclude circuits and network nodes between the circuits including, forexample, digital access and cross-connect system (DACS), regenerators,tandems, copper wires, and fiber optic cable. It would be apparent topersons of ordinary skill that alternative communications lines can beused to connect one or more telecommunications systems devices. Also, atelecommunications carrier as defined here, can include, for example, aLEC, a CLEC, an IXC, an Enhanced Service Provider (ESP), a global orinternational services provider such as a global point-of-presence(GPOP), and an intelligent peripheral.

EO 104 and AT 106 are connected by trunk 116. A trunk connects an AT toan EO. Trunk 116 can be called an inter machine trunk (IMT).

AT 106 and EO 108 are connected by a trunk 118 which can be an IMT. EO108 and ISP 112 can be connected by a private line 120 with a dial tone.Private line 120 with a dial tone can be connected to a modem bay oraccess converter equipment at ISP 112. Private line 120 can also connecta PBX (not shown) to BO 108, for example. Examples of a private line area channelized T1 or PRI. ISP 112 can also attach to the Internet bymeans of a pipe or dedicated communications facility. A pipe can be adedicated communications facility. Private line 120 can handle datamodem traffic to and from ISP 112.

Trunks 116 and 118 can handle switched voice traffic and data traffic.For example, trunks 116-118 can include digital signals DS 1-DS4transmitted over T1-T4 carriers. Table 2 provides typical carriers,along with their respective digital signals, number of channels, andbandwidth capacities.

TABLE 2 Designation Bandwidth in Number of of Megabits per Digitalsignal channels carrier second (Mbps) DS0 1 None 0.064 DS1 24 T1 1.544DS2 96 T2 6.312 DS3 672 T3 44.736 DS4 4032 T4 274.176

Alternatively, trunks 116 and 118 can include optical carriers (OCs),such as 0° C.-1, OC-3, etc. Table 3 provides typical optical carriers,along with their respective synchronous transport signals (STSs), ITUdesignations, and bandwidth capacities.

TABLE 3 International Electrical signal, Telecommunications orsynchronous Union Bandwidth in Optical carrier transport signal (ITU)Megabits per (OC) signal (STS) terminology second (Mbps) OC-1  STS-1 51.84 OC-3  STS-3  STM-1 155.52 OC-9  STS-9  STM-3 466.56 OC-12 STS-12STM-4 622.08 OC-18 STS-18 STM-6 933.12 OC-24 STS-24 STM-8 1244.16 OC-36STS-36  STM-12 1866.24 OC-48 STS-48  STM-16 2488.32

As noted, private line 120 is a connection that can carry data modemtraffic. A private line is a direct channel specifically dedicated to acustomer's use between two specificed points. A private line can also beknown as a leased line. In one embodiment, private line 120 is anISDN/primary rate interface (ISDN PRI) connection. An ISDN PRIconnection includes a single signal channel (called a data or D channel)on a T1, with the remaining 23 channels being used as bearer or Bchannels. (Bearer channels are digital channels that bear voice and datainformation.) If multiple ISDN PRI lines are used, the signaling for allof the lines can be carried over a single D channel, freeing up theremaining lines to carry only bearer channels.

Network 100 also includes a CCIS network for call setup and call teardown. Specifically, FIG. 1 includes a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network114. This SS7 network is described more fully below with reference toFIG. 3 below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a standardtelecommunications network 200, providing both LEC and IXC carrierservices between subscribers located in different LATAs.

Telecommunications network 200 is similar to telecommunications network100, except that calling party 102 and a called party 224 are located indifferent LATAs. In other words, calling party 102 is homed to ingressEO 104 in a first LATA, whereas called party 224 is homed to an egressHO 222 in a second LATA. Calls between subscribers in different LATAsare long distance calls that are typically routed to IXCs. Sample IXCsin the United States include AT&T, MCI and Sprint.

AT 106 provides connection to points of presence (POPs) 202, 204 and206. IXCs 214, 216 and 218 provide connection between POPs 202, 204 and206 (in the first LATA) and POPs 208, 210 and 212 (in the second LATA).POPs 208, 210 and 212, in turn, are connected to AT 220, which providesconnection to egress EO 222. Called party 224 receives calls from EO222, which is its homed EO. Alternatively, it would be apparent to aperson having ordinary skill in the art that an AT 106 can also be, forexample, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP), aninternational gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or anintelligent peripheral.

In addition to providing a voice connection from calling party 102 tocalled party 224, the PSTN provides calling party 102 a data connectionto an ISP 226. ISP 226 is similar to ISP 112.

B. The Signaling Network{TC \I2″}

FIG. 3 illustrates SS7 network 114 in greater detail. SS7 network 114 isa separate network used to handle the set up, tear down, and supervisionof calls between calling party 102 called party 110 (or ISP 226). SS7network 114 includes service switching points (SSPs) 316, 318, 320 and322, signal transfer points (STPs) 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 and 312, andservice control point (SCP) 314.

In the SS7 network, the SSPs are the portions of the backbone switchesproviding SS7 functions. The SSPs can be, for example, a combination ofa voice switch and an SS7 switch, or a computer connected to a voiceswitch. The SSPs communicate with the switches using primitives, andcreate packets for transmission over the SS7 network.

EOs 104, 222 and ATs 106, 220 can be respectively represented in SS7network 114 as SSPs 316, 318, 320 and 322. Accordingly, the connectionsbetween EOs 104, 222 and ATs 106, 220 (presented as dashed lines) can berepresented by connections 334, 336, 338, and 340. The types of theselinks are described below.

The STPs act as routers in the SS7 network, typically being provided asadjuncts to in-place switches. The STPs route messages from originatingSSPs to destination SSPs. Architecturally, STPs can and are typicallyprovided in “mated pairs” to provide redundancy in the event ofcongestion or failure and to share resources (i.e., load sharing is doneautomatically). As illustrated in FIG. 3, STPs can be arranged inhierarchical levels, to provide hierarchical routing of signalingmessages. For example, mated STPs 302, 304 and mated STPs 306, 308 areat a first hierarchical level, while mated STPs 310, 312 are at a secondhierarchical level.

SCPs provide database functions. SCPs can be used-to provide advancedfeatures in an SS7 network, including routing of special service numbers(e.g., 800 and 900 numbers), storing information regarding subscriberservices, providing calling card validation and fraud protection, andoffering advanced intelligent network (AIN) services. SCP 314 isconnected to mated STPs 310 and 312.

In the SS7 network, there are unique links between the different networkelements. Table 4 provides definitions for common SS7 links. Referringto FIG. 3, mated STP pairs are connected by C links. For example, STPs302, 304, mated STPs 306, 308, and mated STPs 310, 312 are connected byC links (not labeled). SSPs 316, 318 and SSPs 320, 322 are connected byF links 342 and 344.

Mated STPs 302, 304 and mated STPs 306, 308, which are at the samehierarchical level, are connected by B links 350, 352, 366 and 372.Mated STPs 302, 304 and mated STPs 310, 312, which are at differenthierarchical levels, are connected by D links 346, 348, 354 and 356.Similarly, mated STPs 306, 308 and mated STPs 310, 312, which are atdifferent hierarchical levels, are connected by D links 358, 360, 368and 370.

SSPs 316, 318 and mated STPs 302, 304 are connected by A links 334 and336. SSPs 320, 322 and mated STPs 306, 308 are connected by A links 338and 340.

SSPs 316, 318 can also be connected to mated STPs 310, 312 by E links(not shown). Finally, mated STPs 310, 312 are connected to SCP 314 by Alinks 330 and 332.

For a more elaborate description of SS7 network topology, the reader isreferred to Russell, Travis, Signaling System #7, McGraw-Hill, New York,N.Y. 10020, ISBN 0-07-054991-5, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TABLE 4 SS7 link terminology Definitions Access (A) A links connect SSPsto STPs, or SCPs to STPs, links providing network access and databaseaccess through the STPs. Bridge (B) B links connect mated STPs to othermated STPs. links Cross (C) C links connect the STPs in a mated pair toone another. links During normal conditions, only network managementmessages are sent over C links. Diagonal D links connect the mated STPsat a primary hierarchical (D) links level to mated STPs at a secondaryhierarchical level. Extended E links connect SSPs to remote mated STPs,and are used (E) links in the event that the A links to home mated STPsare congested. Fully F links provide direct connections between localSSPs associated (bypassing STPs) in the event there is much traffic (F)links between SSPs, or if a direct connection to an STP is notavailable. F links are used only for call setup and call teardown.

IV. THE PRESENT INVENTION{TC \I1″} A. Overview of Data Bypass{TC \I2″}

FIG. 4 includes an overview of an enhanced telecommunications network400 according to the present invention. This invention relates to theconvergence of two types of networks, i.e., voice and data networks.Telecommunications network 400 provides a bypass connection from theingress EO 104 (a class 5 switch) or from AT 106 (a class 3/4 switch) tothe called party 110 and ISP 112. Alternatively, it would be apparent toa person having ordinary skill in the art that an AT 106 can also be,for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP), aninternational gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or anintelligent peripheral. The connection is called a bypass connectionbecause it bypasses the connections from the egress EO 108 to calledparty 110 and ISP 112. In other words, for example, the facilities ofthe incumbent LEC (ILEC) terminating the call of originating caller 102are bypassed.

Telecommunications network 400 includes open architecture platform 402.Telecommunications network 400 also includes trunks 404 and 406,connection 408, and trunk 410, which, for example, respectively connectopen architecture platform 402 to EO 104, to AT 106 (i.e., anytelecommunications carrier), to ISP 112 (i.e., or a business entity'sprivate data network), and to called party 110. In a preferredembodiment, trunks 404 and 406 can handle both data and voice traffic.However, trunks 404 and 406 must be capable of handling at least datatraffic. In a preferred embodiment, connection 408 and trunk 410 canhandle data or voice traffic. However, connection 408 must be capable ofhandling at least data traffic (i.e. including any type of digitizeddata). It should also be apparent to a person having ordinary skill,that connection 408, for example, is a logical connection that cancontain various network devices.

As noted, open architecture platform 402 can receive both voice and datatraffic. This traffic can be received from any network node of atelecommunications carrier. A telecommunications carrier can include,for example, a LEC, a CLEC, an IXC, and an Enhanced Service Provider(ESP). In a preferred embodiment, this traffic is received from anetwork node which is, for example, a class 5 switch, such as EO 104, orfrom a class 3/4 switch, such as AT 106. Alternatively, the networksystem can also be, for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced serviceprovider (ESP), an international gateway or global point-of-presence(GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral. Accordingly, open architectureplatform 402 integrates both voice and data traffic on a singleplatform.

Data traffic refers, for example, to a data connection between a callingparty 102 (using a modem) and a server 412 in ISP 112. A data connectionis established between calling party 102 and EO 104, then over a trunk404 to open architecture platform 402, then over a connection 408 to ISP112, and then over a connection 414 to server 412. Alternatively, theconnection can be established from calling party 102 to EO 104, then toAT 106, then over trunk 406 to open architecture platform 402, then overconnection 408 to ISP 112, and then over connection 414 to server 412.

Voice traffic refers, for example, to a switched voice connectionbetween calling party 102 and called party 110. It is important to notethat this is on a point-to-point dedicated path, i.e., that bandwidth isallocated whether it is used or not. A switched voice connection isestablished between calling party 102 and EO 104, then over trunk 404 toopen architecture platform 402, then over trunk 410 to called party 110.Alternatively, the connection can be established from calling party 102to EO 104 and then to AT 106, then over trunk 406 to open architectureplatform 402, then over trunk 410 to called party 110. In anotherembodiment, AT 106 can also be, for example, a CLEC, or other enhancedservice provider (ESP), an international gateway or globalpoint-of-presence (GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral.

Open architecture platform 402, and communications links 404, 406, 408and 410 comprise the resources of an ILEC or a competitive LEC (CLEC). ACLEC may or may not provide inter-LATA calls, which are traditionallyhandled by IXCs.

B. Detailed Description of Data Bypass{TC \I2″} 1. The Open ArchitecturePlatform {TC I13″}

FIG. 5 illustrates open architecture platform 402 in detail. Openarchitecture platform 402 includes an open architecture switch 502 and avoice switch 506. Open architecture platform 402 receives data and voicetraffic from the PSTN (over communications links 404 and 406) andseparates data traffic from voice traffic. Data traffic is handled byopen architecture switch 502, while voice traffic is handled by voiceswitch 506.

Voice calls switched by voice switch 506 are sent out from the openarchitecture platform 402. For example, an outbound voice call is sentfrom voice switch 506 over communications link 410 to called party 110.

On the other hand, outbound data calls are passed onto a modem NAS bay(which can be a resource on open architecture switch 502) for modemtermination. For example, a data signal (e.g., in the PPP protocol) canbe converted to protocol used by data networks (e.g., into internetprotocol (IP) data packets), for transmission over routers to a datanetwork, such as an ISP. Specifically, an outbound data call will besent to modem NAS bay 514, then to routers (not shown), and then sent toISP 112 over communications link 408. As another example, a virtualprivate networking protocol can be used to create a “tunnel” between theremote user and a data network. For example, calling party 102, using aserver that supports a tunnel protocol (e.g., PPTP) will have anextended virtual private network connection with a data network, such asISP 112.

As noted, open architecture platform 402 comprises open architectureswitch 502 and voice switch 506. Open architecture switch 502 includesgateway (GW) 508, tandem network access server (NAS) bay 504, and modemNAS bay 514.

GW 508 comprises SS7 gateway (SS7 GW) 512, control server 510, anddatabase 516 communicating with control server 510. GW 508 can includemultiple SS7 GWs 512 and multiple control servers 510 (each having oneor more databases 516). Database 516 can be internal to GW 508 oralternatively, external to GW 508.

It is important to note that the open architecture platform is definedby the function of the resources comprising it, and how these resourcesare interrelated. Accordingly, there is no reason that GW 508, tandemNAS bay 504, and modem NAS bay 514 would be required to be collocated,or limited to a particular geographical area, see FIG. 9B, below.Further, the architecture is infinitely scalable over geographicboundaries. As long as any resources match the functions andinteroperabilities defined herein, then such resources comprise openarchitecture platform 402. The same holds true for the subcomponentscomprising any platform resources, e.g., the subcomponents of GW 508(defined below).

Gateway 508 has two functions: interfacing with the CCIS signalingnetwork (e.g., the SS7 signaling network 114) and interfacing with aplurality of control servers to control a plurality of NAS bays. SS7 GW512 provides the first function of providing an interface to the SS7signaling network 114. The SS7 signaling information is conveyed tocontrol server 510.

Control server 510 provides the second function of controlling one ormore NAS bays which comprise resources of open architecture switch 502.Specifically, control server 510 communicates with tandem NAS bay 504and modem NAS bay 514. This communication is performed via a protocolunderstood by the open architecture platform 402 resources, referred toherein as an open architecture protocol.

The open architecture protocol is represented by dotted lines 518 and520. In one embodiment, the open architecture protocol is the networkaccess server (NAS) messaging interface (NMI) protocol, created by XComTechnologies Inc. This protocol is defined by a series of controlmessages, which are defined below in table form. Another protocol iscalled the Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), recently released bya Technical Advisory Council (TAC) and Level 3 Communications, Inc. TheIPDC specification, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, is available in its current draft on the Level 3Communications web site http://www.Level3.com. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that any comparable protocol will suffice, solong as the protocol permits the resources of the open architectureplatform 402 to communicate with one another.

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 9B, below, one or more of SS7 GW512, control server 510, database 516, and NAS are geographicallydiverse devices (or applications running on devices). For example, thesedevices can be connected by communications links using Ethernet, framerelay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), or any other conceivableprotocols. In another embodiment, one or more of SS7 GW 512, controlserver 510, database 516, and NAS 902 are collocated devices (orapplications running on devices), see FIG. 9B.

In a preferred embodiment, SS7 GW 512 and control server 510 areapplications running on one or more collocated host computers.Alternatively, the applications can be run on one or more geographicallydiverse computers. For example, the host computers can be one or moreredundantly interconnected SUN workstations, model 450, for example,available from Sun. Microsystems. FIGS. 6 and 7 below arerepresentations used to illustrate the intercommunications between SS7GW 512 and control server 510 in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 symbolically illustrates an example SS7 GW 512 application (asimplemented using computer programs). The SS7 GW 512 application,labeled open architecture platform (OAP) SS7 GW application 600,provides communications between SS7 network 114 and open architectureswitch 502. The SS7 signaling information is translated into, forexample, an object-oriented, or wire line protocol format form forcross-platform compatibility, ease of transport, and parsing.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, OAP SS7 adapter 602 communicates directly withthe lower level libraries, such as TCP/UDP 604 and IP 606, provided bymanufacturers of SS7 interface cards and by manufacturers of hostcomputers used in particular applications. OAP SS7 comservice 608 of OAPcomservice 610 queues messages between OAP SS7 adapter 602 and theremainder of OAP SS7 GW application 600. It is important to note thatany number of protocols recognized by those skilled in the art can beused. For example, instead of TCP/IP or UDP/IP, the X.25 protocol can beused instead.

OAP task master 620 maintains a pool of threads that are assigned to oneor more OAP task slaves 622. OAP SS7 GW application 600 is cued by anOAP metronome 624 to read tasks from OAP scheduler 626. OAP task slave622 is an abstract base class from which is derived a number of uniqueslaves that may initiate SS7 signals in response to messaging from SS7network 114.

Messages from SS7 network 114 are received through SS7 adapter 602 andpassed to OAP comservice 610 and OAP task master 620. OAP task master620 schedules tasks to respond to each of the messages. Each message isthen passed to OAP comservice 610 again to be transferred to anappropriate control server 510.

Messages may also be stored in OAP historian 628. If appropriate, thetasks from OAP scheduler 626 are performed and appropriate messages arepassed back to SS7 network 114 through OAP adapter 602.

The processing of messages from control servers 510 operates in asimilar manner. The messages come through OAP comservice 610 and arepassed to OAP task master 620. OAP task master 620 then determinesappropriate tasks, if any, and transfers the messages on to the adapterto be sent on SS7 network 114.

An example control server 510 application (as implemented using computerprograms) is illustrated symbolically in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates theOAP control server application 700, which is a call processingcoordinator.

OAP control server application 700 receives SS7 signals in object orwire line protocol form from SS7 GW 512. Based upon the signals, ithandles resource allocation, signaling responses and translationservices.

OAP comservice 708 is similar to OAP comservice 610 (in SS7 GW 512)because it operates to receive and send messages between itself and SS7GW application 600. OAP task master 710 determines and schedules tasksto be performed by OAP control server application 700. OAP task slave712 is an abstract base class from which are derived unique classes foreach message.

OAP translator 714 object or wire line protocol format maps telephonenumbers onto OAP database 716. OAP database 716 contains the destinationof the call, any class functions associated with the call, the type ofrouting algorithm that should be used, and a status associated with thetelephone number. OAP router service 718 is an object or wire lineprotocol which transports requests for routing paths, including bothdelivery and receipt of responses.

OAP state 720 is a collection of data on the state of each circuitidentifier code (CIC) which exists between a given SS7 GW 512originating point code (OPC) and a destination point code (DPC). Thisdata includes the current status of the trunk and information on recentmessaging. The roles of the CIC, the OPC and the DPC with respect to SS7network 114 are discussed in greater detail below.

OAP NAS comservice 706 is a communications object or wire line protocolformat that is responsible for receipt and delivery of messages from NASbays 504 and 514. When a message is received from SS7 GW 512, it ishanded to OAP task master 710. OAP task master 710 instantiates OAP taskslave 712 object or wire line protocol format suitable for theparticular type of message. If a call transaction is initiated, OAP taskslave 712 requests information concerning the called subscriber from OAPtranslator 714, and a route to reach the subscriber from OAP routerservice 718. OAP state 720 is updated to indicate that a call is inprogress from the CIC associated with the message. Finally, NAScomservice 706 signals NAS bays 504, 514 to instantiate the route forthe call.

When a NAS bay responds with a control message, OAP NAS comservice 706converts the message into an object or wire line protocol format andpasses the object or wire line protocol format to OAP task master 710.OAP task master 710 instantiates a suitable OAP task slave 712. Bychecking OAP state 720, task slave 720 correlates the message with anearlier received message from OAP SS7 GW application 600, and formulatesa response message to be delivered to OAP SS7 GW application 600 throughOAP comservice 708.

Maintenance and Monitoring interface (MMI) 722 is a graphical userinterface that communicates with either SS7 gateway application 600 orcontrol server application 700 to update the starting configuration orthe running state, and to monitor and modify various runtime factors.Such factors may include in-progress calls, circuit supervisoryinformation, circuit deployment and maintenance, and similar activities.OAP router service 718 runs as a query daemon, providing a variety ofrouting strategies for the distribution of incoming and outgoing callsacross the large, redundant network, OAP control server application 700includes OAP Historian 724.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary NAS bay 802. NAS bay 802 is a genericview of either tandem NAS bay 504 or modem NAS bay 514. NAS bay 802includes modules 804, 806, 808, and 810. Each of these modules is a slotcard used to implement one or more interfaces with network lines. A lineis a set of channels (e.g., a line on a T1 carrier). A channel is atime-slot on a line. Accordingly, each connection established with a NASbay 802 can be uniquely identified by a module/line/channel identifier.Table 5 provides definitions for NAS bay terms.

TABLE 5 NAS bay terminology Definitions network access A NAS bay is afacility that houses server (NAS) bay modules. Lines (having channels)are connected to the modules. Each connection into the bay can beuniquely identified by a module/line/channel identifier. module Modulesare slot cards that receive communication lines, and perform functionson the channels of the lines. Modules can be used to perform timemodulation and demodulation, to name a few functions. line A line is aset of channels (e.g., a line on a T1 carrier) interconnected withmodules. channel A channel is a time-slot on a line.

Referring back to FIG. 5, tandem NAS bay 504 receives data and voicetraffic from the PSTN (i.e., from the EO 104 over connection 404 or fromAT 106 over connection 406). Call traffic can also originate from, forexample, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP), aninternational gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or anintelligent peripheral. Tandem NAS bay 504 also cross-connects anincoming data call to modem NAS bay 514 through a matrix using timedivision multiplexing (TDM). This function, of providing pass-through ofdata, is referred to herein as data bypass.

Modem NAS bay 514 terminates a data call to one of its modems and themodems allow for the device to convert the inbound data call from oneprotocol to another. In lieu of modem NAS bay 514, any art-recognizeddevices providing the functions of modulation and demodulation can beused. Examples include a software implementation (an application runningon a computer), a modem using a digital signal processor (DSP), or adata service unit/channel service unit (DSU/CSU). In one embodiment,modem NAS bay 514 can provide the modulation/demodulation function, ofconverting the signal from a first data format used by thetelecommunications services provider that provides access to the openarchitecture platform 402 (e.g., in PPP format) to a second format(e.g., IP data packets) used by a destination data network such as ISP112. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the particular secondformat need not be limited to IP data packets, depending primarily onthe destination data network. As those skilled in the art willrecognize, other protocol formats include a transmission controlprogram, internet protocol (TCP/IP) packet format, a user datagramprotocol, internet protocol (UDP/IP) packet format, routing tableprotocol (RTP) (e.g., Banyan VINES) format, an asynchronous transfermode (ATM) cell packet format, a serial line interface protocol (SLIP)protocol format, a point-to-point (PPP) protocol format, a point topoint tunneling protocol (PPTP) format, a NETBIOS extended userinterface (NETBEUI) protocol format, an Appletalk protocol format, aDECNet format, and an internet packet exchange (IPX) protocol format.

In the alternative, a virtual private networking protocol can be used tocreate a “tunnel” between a remote user (e.g., calling party 102 using aserver that supports tunneling) and the destination data network (e.g.,ISP 112). One example of a virtual private networking protocol is PPTP.

An exemplary modem NAS bay 514 is an ASCEND access concentrator, modelTNT, available from Ascend Communications, Inc., which is analogous to aNAS bay 802 with modems functioning on modules 804, 806, 808, and 810.Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modem functiondescribed above is conventionally performed by the destination datanetworks (e.g., ISP 112), not by an ILEC or a CLEC. In this sense, thepresent invention simplifies the functions of the destination datanetwork providers, such as ISPs.

It must be noted that it is not necessary to implement the presentinvention by way of conventional NAS devices. Any network elementsproviding the dual functions of data bypass (i.e., as provided by tandemNAS bay 504) and conversion of data by means of modem termination into aformat usable by a data network (i.e., as provided by modem NAS bay 514)will suffice. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a number ofnetwork devices can be combined to provide these functions.

As those skilled in the art will recognize, transmission controlprotocol (TCP) and internet protocol (IP) (collectively called TCP/IP)form a packet switching protocol comprised of the TCP and IP protocols,which are layers of protocols that act together. IP is a protocol thatfunctions at the network layer of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI)data network architecture model, and as noted, provides packetizing ofdata into units also called datagrams, containing address information.TCP is a protocol that functions at the session and transport layers ofthe OSI data model, providing the separation, transmission,retransmitting, and sequencing of data packets. TCP establishes aconnection between two systems intending to exchange data, performingmessaging control functions. IP is said to “ride on top of” TCP, IP is asimpler protocol than TCP in that IP only addresses and sends. TCPbreaks a message down into IP packets and uses CHECKSUM error checkinglogic to guaranty delivery of the message from the first system to thesecond.

It is important to note that this invention deals with the convergenceof voice and data networks. The reader should appreciate that voicenetworks and data networks were formerly two separate networks. Theoffice classification switching hierarchy discussed above is a voicenetwork architecture and has no correlation to the OSI model which is adata networking architecture.

It is also important to note that open architecture switch 502 caninclude one or more of gateways 508, one or more tandem network accessserver (NAS) bays 504 and one or more modem NAS bays 514. Therefore, thenumber of these elements is not important, so long as their respectivefunctions are met.

FIG. 9A is a more elaborate view of one embodiment of the openarchitecture platform of the invention. The open architecture platformshown in FIG. 9A is the same as open architecture platform 402 (shown inFIG. 5), except for the additional resources described below.

In FIG. 9A; NAS bay 902 provides both the tandem functions of tandem NASbay 504 and the modem functions of modem NAS bay 514. In other words,NAS bay 902 will provide the data bypass function of tandem NAS bay 504,as well as the modem termination function of modem NAS bay 514. Voicetraffic is transmitted over trunks 930 or 932 to voice switch 506. Voiceswitch 506 can transmit the voice traffic, for example, over privateline 934 to PBX 912.

If the call comprises data traffic, NAS bay 902 will use modems toconvert the incoming data call into a form suitable for a destinationdata network (e.g., PPP data packets) for transmission to other datanodes over open architecture platform 402. For example, the resultingdata packets are transmitted over an Ethernet/WAN connection 903 (usingan Ethernet/WAN protocol), in conjunction with TCP/IP. It would beapparent to one of skill in the art that alternative networkarchitecture could be used, such as, for example, FDDI, SONET, ATM, etc.

Connection 903 terminates in internal backbone 936. Internal backbone936 can be any type of data link. Routers 904, 906 route the IP datapackets from internal backbone 936 to ISPs 938, 940. Exemplary networkrouters include network routers from various companies such as, CISCO,3COM, NETOPIA, and NORTEL, or a host computer running routing software.Specifically, the data packets are transmitted from router 904 to router908 in ISP 938, and from router 906 to router 910 in ISP 940. Thus, thecustomers of ISPs 938, 940 can dial into communication servers at theISP location, which have dedicated routers 908, 910. Thus, ISPs 938, 940can route data traffic to routers on open architecture platform 402.

In one embodiment, ISP 948 can use a network service provider (NSP) toprovide a modem pool for use by the customers of ISP 948. A CLECimplementing open architecture platform 402 can comprise an NSP. Modemsin NAS bay 902 can be used by subscribers of ISPs 938, 940 and 948 forinterconnectivity, and traffic can also be routed to other network nodesvia the routers. Modem pooling at the NSP level reduces capitalexpenditures by ISPs 938, 940, 948.

The invention enables network access point (NAP) switching whichinvolves exchanging data traffic on the architecture. A NAP switches thecall based on routing instructions it receives. Online services can beperformed so-called “on the box.”

NAS bay 942 can be the same type of device as NAS bay 902, in that itprovides both the tandem functions of tandem NAS bay 504, and the modemfunctions of modem NAS bay 514. NAS bay 942 is used to represent otherconnections that can be established with open architecture platform 402.

Calling party 914 is another party that can establish a data connectionusing a modem connected to a host computer. However, calling party 914,via its host computer, has the additional feature of providing voiceover IP (VOIP) service over communications link 944.

PBX 916 is a centralized switch providing its collocated customers bothswitching and access to NAS bay 942. This access is provided overT1/ISDN PRI private line 946.

It is possible to access open architecture platform 402 using any typeof digital subscriber line (DSL) connection. Calling party 924 andcomputer 922 access NAS bay 942 over a high bit rate DSL (HDSL), knownas a single pair HDSL (SDSL) 920. HDSL can place a two-way T1 on anormal unshielded, bridged (but not loaded) twisted pair copper wireloop 982. In an embodiment of SDSL, an existing single pair copper wireon the local loop is used to transmit full duplex data at up to 768Kbps. Transmission at 1.54 Mbps is achieved by using two SDSL lines,i.e., two pairs of wires.

SDSL 920 permits simultaneous voice and data transmission through a DSLdevice 918 (e.g., a splitter), which can be collocated with callingparty 924 and computer 922. Alternatively, access can be obtainedwithout a splitter device. In addition, calling party 924 and computer922 can access NAS bay 942 over ISDN DSL (IDSL) link 926. In anembodiment of IDSL, an existing local loop, i.e., a single pair ofcopper wires, is used to transmit full duplex data at 128 Kbps.Alternatively, calling party 924 and computer 922 can access NAS bay 942over xDSL 928. In an embodiment of xDSL, an existing local loop, i.e., asingle pair of copper wires, is used to transmit digital subscriber linecommunications.

In one embodiment of the invention, a CLEC implementing openarchitecture platform 402 can accept data traffic from other CLECs orILECs, providing data bypass for the egress leg of data calls. In suchan embodiment, the implementing CLEC can charge back the other CLECs orILECs an “unbundled element” for providing this service to the egressfacilities involved (i.e., the egress EOs belonging to the ILECs or usedby the other CLECs'). It is important to note that reciprocalcompensation does not exist everywhere and other arrangements do exist.While this is the predominant arrangement, this is not necessarily theonly arrangement. This approach, of having an NSP/CLEC charge back anILEC or other CLEC for offloading of data traffic, can save theoffloaded CLEC or ILEC significant capital expenditures related to theswitching of data traffic.

Voice traffic is transmitted over trunks 930 or 932 to voice switch 506.Voice switch 506 can transmit the voice traffic, for example, overprivate line 934 to PBX 912.

2. Data Bypass Operations{TC \I3″}

FIGS. 10A-10B depict flow charts illustrating how an originating callergains access to open architecture platform 402. FIGS. 10A-10B aredescribed with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 9.

FIG. 10A depicts a method 1000 for receiving an inbound call whichbypasses the facilities of an egress switch according to the presentinvention. Alternatively, other call flows are possible, including acall requiring a modem calling back for security reasons, using outboundcalling from open architecture platform 402.

In step 1002 of FIG. 10A, the technique receives signaling informationto set up data calls and voice calls from a calling party to a calledparty. In step 1004, the technique converts the signaling informationinto an open architecture protocol format. In step 1006, data calls andvoice calls are received at open architecture switch 502. In step 1008,the technique distinguishes between data calls and voice calls. In step1010, the technique controls NASs, i.e., NAS bays 504 and 514, using theopen architecture protocol. In step 1012, the method terminates datacalls to modems in a modem NAS bay, e.g., in modem NAS 514, forconversion to a packetized data format for transmission to networknodes. Alternatively, in step 1012, a tunnel is established between theuser and the destination data network. In step 1014, the methodtransmits voice calls to a voice switch for transmission to the calledparty.

FIGS. 10B and 10C depict more detailed description of the techniqueoutlined in FIG. 10A. Specifically, these figures depict an inbound callflow into open architecture platform 402. An inbound call is where anincoming call (into the open architecture platform) is connected to acalled party (for a voice connection) or an ISP (for a data connection).

Referring to FIG. 10B, in step 1018 an originating caller 102 (shown inFIG. 1) gains access to LEC facilities. This is performed according toknown methods as described with respect to FIG. 1. As one example,originating caller 102, using a telephone, can go off-hook to place aswitched voice call to the LEC facilities. As another example, callingparty 102 can use a host computer, in concert with a modem, to establisha data connection with the LEC facilities (i.e., the modem of callingparty 102 takes the line off-hook). As those skilled in the art willrecognize, any of the access methods described with respect to FIG. 9A,in addition to other known methods, can be used to access the LECfacilities.

In step 1020, signaling information for the call is received by thehomed BO, the originating EO, indicating that calling party 102 isattempting to make a call. As noted, the homed EO, often referred to asa central office CO, is the EO having a direct connection with theoriginating caller. (This is true for voice calls and for data calls.)In FIG. 1, the homed EO is ingress EO 104. Conventionally, for this legof the call, i.e., between the telephone or modem of calling party 102and EO 104, the LEC uses in-band signaling implemented with pulse ortone dialing. The homed EO then sends back a dial tone to calling party102.

In step 1022, the originating caller, calling party 102, hears a dialtone and dials a telephone number to access the open architectureplatform 402. The dialed number, for example, in the currently useddomestic US 10-digit standard NPA-NXX-XXXX format (i.e., Europe, forexample, has a different 32 digit standard), can be the telephone numberof called party 110, or a number used to access an ISP which can bevirtually mapped to a table of terminating points.

In step 1024, the LEC facilities perform a table lookup and thentransmit the call to a facility (e.g., a class 4 AT switch or a class 5EO switch) that is connected to open architecture platform 402. First,EO 104 will look up the dialed number in translation tables (external tothe EO) which will indicate which switch of the LEC facility is toreceive the call. Next, EO 104 will transmit appropriate signalinginformation to transmit the call along a path to that facility.

It should be noted that if the regulatory environment were to change asto permit CLECs or other interconnecting parties to access originatingoffice triggers from ILECs, then it would be possible to route the calltraffic differently.

It should be noted that this step is optional, because it is possiblethat EO 104 (the homed EO) provides a direct connection with openarchitecture platform 402. It is also possible that calling party 102will have a connection to a network node or system (e.g. an intelligentperipheral, a GPOP, etc.) that is not an EO or AT switch, which willprovide a direct connection to open architecture platform 402. It isalso possible that the homed EO will provide a connection to anothertype of network device (i.e., not an EO or an AT) that will, in turn,provide a direct connection to open architecture platform 402.

The leg of the call described in step 1024 can be connected usingin-band signaling or out-of-band signaling. (The same is true for thelegs of the call following this leg.) In one embodiment, SS7 signalingis used to terminate the call to the facility providing access to theopen architecture platform 402. Referring to FIG. 4 or FIG. 9A, AT 106and EO 104 are, for example, facilities providing access to openarchitecture platform 402. Alternatively, these facilities couldinclude, for example, a CLEC, or other enhanced service provider (ESP),an international gateway or global point-of-presence (GPOP), or anintelligent peripheral.

With SS7 signaling, the ISDN User Part (ISUP) protocol can be used. ISUPfeatures numerous messages that are transmitted within the SS7 network,which are used to establish call set up and call teardown. In thepresent case, an initial address message (IAM) is sent to AT 106 or EO104. Of course, AT 106 can also be, for example, a CLEC, or otherenhanced service provider (ESP), an international gateway or globalpoint-of-presence (GPOP), or an intelligent peripheral. The IAM caninclude such information as the calling party number (i.e., thetelephone number of calling party 102, although the IAM doesn'tnecessarily contain calling party, especially in local environment), thecalled party number (i.e., the telephone number dialed by calling party102), the origination point code (OPC), the destination point code(DPC), and the circuit identification code (CIC). (The OPC, DPC and CICwere discussed above with respect to FIG. 7). The OPC identifies theswitch from which the call is to be transmitted on the present leg ofthe call, which in this case is homed EO 104. The DPC identifies theswitch to which the present leg of the call is to be routed. Taking theexample of a call that is connected to open architecture platform 402 byAT 106, the SS7 signaling will transmit the call from EO 104 to AT 106.The CIC identifies the bearer channel over which the call is coming into AT 106 from EO 104. Each AT 106 looks at the called number and thendoes its own routing, by reviewing the contents of the IAM anddetermining the next switch to send the call to, by setting the next DPCin order to continue routing the call.

It should be noted that ISUP messages are transmitted from signalingpoint to signaling point in the SS7 network in the above-noted manner,until the signaling is completed to a destination switch, node or trunk(i.e., at a called party). For example, it is possible that once thecall is sent to homed EO 104, it is sent to intermediate switches (i.e.,other EOs and ATs) before it arrives at AT 106. In this case, eachswitch along the path of the call will create an TAM with informationreflecting the next leg of the call. For each leg, the OPC and DPC aremodified, and the receiving switch looks for the call in the bearerchannel specified by the CIC which is included in the IAM.

In step 1026, the LEC facilities perform a table lookup and thentransmit the call to open architecture switch 502. AT 106 creates anIAM. This IAM can include the calling party's number (if available), thecalled party's number, the point code of AT 106 as the OPC, the pointcode of the open architecture switch 502 as the DPC, and the CICrepresenting the bearer channel over link 406 containing the call. TheIAM is sent to the SS7 GW 512, presenting the call on a bearer channelrepresented by another CIC over link 406 to tandem NAS bay 504 (a bearerchannel interface).

In step 1028, SS7 GW 512 receives signaling information in the IAMmessage from SS7 network 114, and delivers the information to controlserver 510. SS7 GW 512 has multiple physical A-link interfaces into theSS7 network (i.e. preferably one which supports international as well asUS Domestic SS7 signaling) over which signaling data is received. In apreferred embodiment, SS7 GW 512 functionality is implemented as anapplication executing on a SUN Microsystems workstation model 450, forexample, available from Sun Microsystems, Inc. using an SS7 adapterfrom, for example, DGM&S model Omni 5.0 SignalWare, available from DGM&STelecom, Mount Laurel, N.J. In this preferred embodiment, SS7 GW 512 andcontrol server 510 are applications in communication with one another,running on one or more such interconnected host computers. As noted,FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate one example embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, these applications are symbolicallyrepresented as OAP SS7 GW application 600 and OAP control serverapplication 700. The communications between SS7 GW 512 and controlserver 510, which together comprise GW 508, were specifically describedwith respect to these figures. SS7 GW 512 parses the IAM message,providing the OPC, DPC, calling party number and called party number,inter alia, to control server 510.

SS7 GW 512 also functions as a protocol state machine for each ISUP SS7circuit. In this respect, SS7 GW 512 holds a protocol state machine foreach call that is in process. If SS7 GW 512 does not get a response fromcontrol server 510 within a certain timeout period, then it sends adefault response out to the SS7 network, which is in the present case arelease (REL) message. The REL message indicates to homed EO 104 (i.e.,via its SSP portion) that the call is to be released because a timeoutoccurred. SS7 GW 512 does not necessarily perform the routing itself,but rather communicates with the control server 510 which controls therouting functions.

Referring to FIG. 10C, in step 1030, the control server must determinewhether the call is a data call or a voice call to take appropriateactions. Control server 510 looks up the called party number in internalor external database 516 to determine whether the call is a data call ora voice call. Based on the type of call, control server 510 indicates tocontrol facilities (associated with tandem NAS bay 504) how to route thetraffic.

Control server 510 communicates with the control facilities in tandemNAS bay 504 via the open architecture protocol. The control messagescomprising the protocol are defined in Table 6 generically and in Tables7-20 in detail. The flaws of the control messages, between GW 508(primarily referring to control server 510 in GW 508) and tandem NAS bay504 (primarily referring to control facilities in tandem NAS bay 504)are provided in Tables 22-38. For an even more detailed view of theseflows, the reader is referred to FIG. 11, which illustrates the controlfacilities of tandem NAS bay 504 (including protocol control 1102, callcontrol 1106 and resource management 1104) and GW 508, as well as FIGS.13-18B, which provide detailed views of the selected flows.

If control server 510 determines the call is a data call, in step 1032,it sends a message to the control facilities of tandem NAS bay 504indicating this condition. The tandem NAS bay sends back anacknowledgment. Table 27 illustrates an example message flow for thisstep.

In step 1034, a data call over a given bearer channel (e.g., a DS0channel) is time division multiplexed by tandem NAS bay 504 fortermination at particular modems. The data call arriving over a givenbearer channel on connection 406 (from AT 106) is assigned to a moduleon modem NAS bay 514. In other words, the incoming bearer channel isassigned to a given bay/module/line/channel (BMLC) going into modem NASbay 514 to a terminating point. Table 32 illustrates an example messageflow for this step.

In step 1036, a modem performs the conversion (i.e., a modem in modemNAS bay 514 converts the call from one form into a form suitable for adestination data network.) For example, the call can be converted fromone type of data signal (e.g., a PPP data signal) into another form ofdata, such as packets (e.g., IP data packets) for routing to anotherpoint such as an ISP. As noted, alternatively, a tunnel can beestablished between the originating caller and the destination datanetwork. Here, a virtual private network, to which the originatingcaller 102 is connected, is extended to the data network.

Step 1038 is the acceptance of the data call by the platform. Asillustrated in Table 26, a message is sent from the control facilitiesof tandem NAS bay 504 to control server 510, indicating the inbound callis accepted by open architecture platform 402. Control server 510 thenindicates an accepted data connection to SS7 GW 512, which in turn sendsan address complete (ACM) message out over SS7 network 114. When homedEO 104 is made aware of this condition, it plays a ringing signal forcalling party 102, or more specifically, to the modem used by callingparty 102. This indicates a connection is about to be established with amodem.

In step 1040, the call is connected between a modem on modem NAS bay 514and the modem of calling party 102. As illustrated in Table 27, amessage is sent from the control facilities of tandem NAS bay 504 tocontrol server 510, indicating that the inbound call is connected.Control server 510 then indicates a connection indication to SS7 GW 512,which in turn sends an answer (ANM) message over SS7 network 114. Themodem of called party 102 then negotiates with a modem of modem NAS bay514. Here, the name and password of the calling party are verified bythe modem of modem NAS bay 514 via a radius server. The radius serverauthenticates the call, and assigns an IP address from the modem NAS bay514, using the dialed number. The call is routed between calling party102 and another point, such as, an ISP as described with respect to FIG.9A.

If in step 1030 it is determined that the call is a voice call, the callis transmitted to a voice switch in step 1042. In this case, controlserver 510 will communicate to tandem NAS bay 504 to transmit the callto voice switch 506. Voice switch 506 will, in turn, use SS7 signaling(via SS7 signaling network 114) to place the call to a called party 110.Voice traffic is handled in a conventional manner. In a preferredembodiment, a NORTEL DMS switch, model DMS 500, available from NORTEL,Richardson, Tex., is used for switching of voice traffic.

In step 1044, call teardown occurs. For voice traffic effected betweencalling party 102 and called party 110, teardown occurs using SS7signaling in a known manner.

For teardown of a data call, in a typical scenario, calling party 102initiates the procedure by disconnecting the modem connection. Homed EO104 sends a release (REL) message, which is transmitted over the SS7signaling network 114 to SS7 GW 512. SS7 GW 512 informs control server510 of the condition. As illustrated in Table 34, control server 510sends a message to the control facilities of tandem NAS bay 504 torelease the call, which sends back an acknowledgment once the call isreleased.

It should be noted that the functions of SS7 GW 512, control server 510and the NAS bays can all be contained in one collocated system. Manyadvantages can be achieved, however, by placing this functionality inseveral devices which can be collocated or placed in geographicallydiverse locations. For example, FIG. 9B depicts SS7 GWs 512 a, 512 b,and 512 c, connected by multiple links (e.g., A-F links) to SS7 network114. SS7 GWs 512 a-512 c and CSs 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c, databases 516a, and 516 b, NASs 902 a, 902 b, 902 c, and 902 d, and internal backbone936, can be collocated or geographically diverse. In a preferredembodiment, for high availability, multiple redundant connections canconnect redundant platform resources.

It should also be noted that the above-noted steps need not be performedin sequential order. Those skilled in the art will recognize this fact.

It would be apparent to a person having skill in the art that the aboveis only one implementation of the technology and that multipleimplementations are possible. The reader is referred to the followingtables and FIGS. 11-18B for a more detailed perspective.

3. NAS Bay to GW Communications{TC \I3″}

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the functional components of NASbay 902, and how these components communicate with GW 508. In this moredetailed view; NAS bay 902 includes protocol control application 1102,call control application 1106 and resource management application 1104.Protocol control application 1102 communicates with call controlapplication 1106 by transmission of primitives. Protocol controlapplication 1102 communicates with resource management application 1104by the execution of procedure calls. GW 508 communicates with NAS bay902 by the transmission of control messages. These control messages,implemented using the open architecture platform protocol, are describedin detail in the sections below.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram used to show how complex outbound callsare handled. In these calls, a plurality of NAS bays are involved. Table35 provides a description that is to be used in concert with FIG. 12.

FIGS. 13-18 provide a series of detailed flow charts (i.e., statediagrams) describing the communications flows between the subcomponentsof NAS bay 902 (including protocol control application 1102, callcontrol application 1106 and resource management application 1104) andGW 508. The state diagrams represent the state of protocol controlapplication 1102 through several processes. The flow charts areexemplary and not exhaustive.

FIG. 13 depicts an inbound call handling (NAS Side) 1300 state diagramdetailing the states of protocol control 1102 during receipt of aninbound call. Steps 1302 through 1356 outline in detail the state flowof protocol control 1102 during the call.

FIGS. 14A and 14B depict NAS side exception handling 1400 state diagramsdetailing the states of protocol control 1102 during exception handling.Steps 1402 through 1424 outline in detail the state flow of protocolcontrol 1102 during exception handling.

FIG. 15 depicts a NAS side release request handling 1500 state diagramdetailing the states of protocol control 1102 during the process of arelease request. Steps 1502 through 1526 outline in detail the stateflow of protocol control 1102 during the release request.

FIG. 16 depicts a NAS Side TDM connection handling 1600 state diagramdetailing the states of protocol control 1102 during the receipt of aTDM call. Steps 1602 through 1630 outline in detail the state flow ofprotocol control 1102 during the TDM call.

FIGS. 17A and 17B depict a NAS side continuity test handling 1700 statediagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102 during initiationof a continuity test. Steps 1702 through 1766 outline in detail thestate flow of protocol control 1102 during the test.

FIGS. 18A and 18B depict a NAS side outbound call handling (initiated byNAS) 1800 state diagram detailing the states of protocol control 1102during initiation of an outbound call. Steps 1802 through 1872 outlinein detail the state flow of protocol control 1102 during the call. Anoutbound call is a call initiated from the open architecture platform,for security reasons. In response to a call from a calling party, theplatform initiates a call to the calling party, and performs passwordvalidation for the call.

4. Control Messages {TC \I3″}

Table 6 below provides a listing of the names and corresponding codesfor control messages transmitted between GW 508 and NAS bay 902. Alsoincluded are the source of each message and the description for eachmessage. For example, the NSUP message is transmitted from NAS bay 902to GW 508, informing GW 508 that NAS bay 902 is coming up.

TABLE 6 Name Code Source Description NSUP 0x0081 NAS Notify NAS comingup ASUP 0x0082 GW Acknowledgment to NSUP NSDN 0x0083 NAS Notify NAS isabout to reboot RST1 0x0085 GW Request system reset - Drop all channelsARST1 0x0086 NAS Reset in progress - awaiting Reboot command RST2 0x0087GW Request system reset (Reboot command) ARST2 0x0088 NAS Rebootacknowledgment MRJ 0x00FF GW or Message reject NAS RSI 0x0091 GW Requestsystem information NSI 0x0092 NAS Response to RSI RBN 0x0093 GW Requestbay number NBN 0x0094 NAS Response to RBN SBN 0x0095 GW Set bay numberABN 0x0096 NAS Acknowledgment to SBN RMI 0x0097 GW Request moduleinformation NMI 0x0098 NAS Notify module information RLI 0x0099 GWRequest line information NLI 0x009A NAS Notify line information RCI0x009B GW Request channel information NCI 0x009C NAS Notify channelinformation SLI 0x009D GW Set line information ASLI 0x009E NASAcknowledgment to SLI RGWI 0x00A1 GW Request Gateway information NGWI0x00A2 NAS Notify Gateway information SGWI 0x00A3 GW Set Gatewayinformation ASGWI 0x00A4 NAS Acknowledgment to SGWI RGWS 0x00A5 GWRequest Gateway status NGWS 0x00A6 NAS Notify Gateway status RMS 0x0041GW Request module status RLS 0x0043 GW Request line status RCS 0x0045 GWRequest channel status NMS 0x0042 NAS Notify module status NLS 0x0044NAS Notify line status NCS 0x0046 NAS Notify channel status SMS 0x0051GW Set a module to a given state SLS 0x0053 GW Set a line to a givenstate SCS 0x0055 GW Set a group of channels to a given state NSCS 0x0056NAS Response to SCS PCT 0x0061 GW Prepare channel for continuity testAPCT 0x0062 NAS Response to PCT SCT 0x0063 GW Start continuity testprocedure with far end as loopback (Generate tone and check for receivedtone) ASCT 0x0064 NAS Continuity test result RTE 0x007D GW or Requesttest echo NAS ARTE 0x007E NAS or Response to RTE GW RTP 0x007B GWRequest test ping to given IP address ATP 0x007C NAS Response to RTP LTN0x0071 GW Listen for DTMF tones ALTN 0x0072 NAS Response to listen forDTMF tones STN 0x0073 GW Send DTMF tones ASTN 0x0074 NAS Completionresult of STN command RCSI 0x0001 GW Request inbound call setup ACSI0x0002 NAS Accept inbound call setup CONI 0x0003 NAS Connect inboundcall (answer) RCSO 0x0005 NAS or Request outbound call setup GW ACSO0x0006 GW or Accept outbound call setup NAS CONO 0x0007 GW or Outboundcall connected NAS RCST 0x0009 GW Request pass-through call setup (TDMconnection between two channels) ACST 0x000A NAS Accept pass-throughcall RCR 0x0011 GW or Release channel request NAS ACR 0x0012 NAS orRelease channel complete GW

5. A Detailed View of the Control Messages{TC \I3″}

The following section provides a more detailed view of the controlmessages transmitted between GW 508 and NAS bay 902.

a. Startup Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 7 below provides the Startup messages, the parameter tags and theparameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 7 Startup (registration and de-registration) Parameter Message TagParameter Description NSUP—Notify NAS 0x01 Protocol version implementedcoming up (initially, set to 0). 0x02 System ID 0x03 System type 0x04Maximum number of modules (cards) on the system (whether present ornot). 0x05 Bay number. ASUP—Acknowledgement 0x02 System ID to NSUPNSDN—Notify NAS 0x02 System ID coming down (about to reboot)RST1—Request system 0x02 System ID reset—Drop all channels ARST1—Resetin 0x02 System ID progress—awaiting Reboot command RST2—Request system0x02 System ID reset (Reboot command) ARST2—Reboot 0x02 System IDacknowledgment 0x06 Result code: 0x00 Request accepted. NAS will rebootnow. 0x01 Request denied. NAS will not reboot.b. Protocol Error Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 8 below provides the Protocol error messages, the parameter tagsand the parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 8 Protocol error handling Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription MRJ—Message reject 0xFE ISDN cause code This message isgenerated by the NAS or GW when a message is received with an error,such as an invalid message code, etc. The ISDN cause code indicates themain reason why the message was rejected.c. System Configuration Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 9 below provides the System configuration messages, the parametertags and the parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 9 System configuration Parameter Message Tag Parameter DescriptionRSI—Request system information NSI—Notify system 0x01 Protocol versionimplemented information (initially, set to 0). (response to RSI) 0x02System ID 0x03 System type 0x04 Maximum number of modules (cards) on thesystem (whether present or not). 0x05 Bay number This message is sent asa response to a RSI request. RBN—Request bay number NBN—Response to RBN0x05 Bay number This message is sent as a response to a RBN request.SBN—Set bay number 0x05 Bay number ASBN—Acknowledgment 0x05 Bay numberto This message is sent as a response to a SBN SBN request.d. Telco Interface Configuration Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 10 below provides the Telco interface configuration messages, theparameter tags and the parameter descriptions (associated with thesemessages).

TABLE 10 Telco interface configuration Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription RMI—Request module 0x07 Module number information NMI—Notifymodule 0x07 Module number information (response to 0x0A Module type:RMI) 0x00 not present 0x01 unknown 0x03 router card 0x04 8-linechannelized T1 0x06 48-modem card 0x07 HDLC card 0x08 Ethernet card 0x09Serial WAN card 0x0A HSSI card 0x0B 10-line unchannelized T1 0x0D T30x0E 48-modem 56K card 0x10 SDSL 0x11 ADSL CAP 0x12 ADSL DMT 0x13standalone modem controller 0x14 32-line IDSL Many other values arereserved. 0x0B Capabilities/features: logical OR of any of the followingflags: 0x01 Capable of continuity testing 0x02 Network interface module0x08 Number of lines (or items, depending on card type). 0x09 Externalname (i.e., “8t1-card”, etc.) In ASCII format. RLI—Request line 0x07Module number information 0x0D Line number NLI—Notify line 0x07 Modulenumber information (response to 0x0D Line number RLI) 0x0E Number ofchannels 0x0F External name in ASCII format 0x10 Line coding: 0x00Unknown 0x01 AMI D4 AMI 0x02 B8ZS ESF-B8ZS 0x11 Framing: 0x00 Unknown0x01 D4 0x02 ESF 0x12 Signaling type: 0x00 Unknown 0x01 In-band 0x02ISDN PRI 0x03 NFAS 0x04 SS7 gateway 0x13 In-band signaling details: 0x00Unknown 0x01 Wink start 0x02 Idle start 0x03 wink-wink with 200 msecwink 0x04 wink-wink with 400 msec wink 0x05 loop start CPE 0x06 groundstart CPE 0x41 T1 front-end type: 0x00 Unknown 0x01 CSU (T1 long haul)0x02 DSX-1 (T1 short haul) 0x42 T1 CSU build out: 0x00   0 db 0x01  7.5db 0x02   15 db 0x03 22.5 db 0x43 T1 DSX-1 line length: 0x00  1-133 ft0x01 134-266 ft 0x02 267-399 ft 0x03 400-533 ft 0x04 534-655 ftRCI—Request Channel 0x07 Module number information 0x0D Line number 0x15Channel number NCI—Notify channel 0x07 Module number information(response to 0x0D Line number RCI) 0x15 Channel number 0x16 Channelstatus 0x17 Bearer Capability of the Channel (BCC) or type of the activecall, when a call is present. 0x18 Calling Party number 0x19 DialedPhone number 0x1A Timestamp of the last channel status transitionSLI—Set line 0x07 Module number information 0x0D Line number 0x0FExternal name in ASCII format 0x10 Line coding: 0x01 AMI 0x02 B8ZS 0x11Framing: 0x01 D4 0x02 ESF 0x12 Signaling type: 0x01 In-band 0x02 ISDNPRI 0x03 NFAS 0x04 SS7 gateway 0x13 In-band signaling details: 0x01 Winkstart 0x02 Idle start 0x03 wink-wink with 200 msec wink 0x04 wink-winkwith 400 msec wink 0x05 loop start CPE 0x06 ground start CPE 0x41 T1front-end type: 0x01 CSU (T1 long haul) 0x02 DSX-1 (T1 short haul) 0x42T1 CSU build-out: 0x00   0 db 0x01  7.5 db 0x02   15 db 0x03 22.5 db0x43 T1 DSX-1 line length: 0x00  1-133 ft 0x01 134-266 ft 0x02 267-399ft 0x03 400-533 ft 0x04 534-655 ft ASLI—New line 0x07 Module numberinformation ACK 0x0D Line number This message is sent as a response to aSLI request.e. Gateway Configuration Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 11 below provides the Gateway configuration messages, theparameter tags and the parameter descriptions (associated with thesemessages).

TABLE 11 Gateway configuration Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription RGWI—Request Gateway information NGWI—Notify Gateway 0x1B IPAddress for Primary gateway information 0x1C TCP port for Primarygateway 0x1D IP Address for Secondary gateway 0x1E TCP port forSecondary gateway This message is sent as a response to a RGWI request,or when the local NAS configuration is changed by other means. SGWI—SetGateway 0x02 Serial Number of Remote Unit information 0x1B New IPAddress of Primary gateway 0x1C TCP port for Primary gateway 0x1D New IPAddress of Secondary gateway 0x1E TCP port for Secondary gatewayASGWI—Acknowledge to SGWI This message is sent as a response to a SGWIrequest. RGWS—Request 0x02 Serial Number of Remote Unit Gateway statusNGWS—Notify Gateway 0x02 Serial Number of Remote Unit status 0x1B New IPAddress of Primary Host 0x1C TCP port for Primary 0x1D New IP Address ofSecondary Host 0x1E TCP port for Secondary 0x1F Gateway in use(Primary/Secondary) This message is sent as a response to a RGWSrequest.f. Maintenance-Status (State) Messages {TC \I4″}

Table 12 below provides the Maintenance-Status (State) messages, theparameter tags and the parameter descriptions (associated with thesemessages).

TABLE 12 Maintenance - Status (State) Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription RMS—Request module status 0x07 Module number This messagewill force an immediate NMS. RLS—Request line 0x07 Module number status0x0D Line number This message will force an immediate NLS. RCS—Requestchannel status 0x07 Module number 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel numberThis message will force an immediate NCS. NMS—Notify module status 0x07Module number 0x0A Module type (see NMI above) 0x0C Module status 0x20Number of lines (for network interface modules only) 0x21 Line status:one entry per line (for network interface modules only) This messageshould be issued by the NAS any time that the module status changes orif a RMS command was received. NLS—Notify line status 0x07 Module number0x0D Line number 0x14 Line status 0x22 Number of channels 0x23 Channelstatus: one entry per channel This message should be issued by the NASany time that the line status changes or if a RLS command was received.NCS—Notify channel status 0x07 Module number 0x0D Line number 0x15Channel number 0x16 Channel status This message should be issued by theNAS if an RCS command was received. SMS—Set a module to a given 0x07Module number status 0x24 Requested state: 0x00 out of service 0x01initialize (bring up) As the Module changes status, the NAS will notifythe GW with NMS messages. The correlator in those NMS messages will notbe the same as the correlator in the SMS message. SLS—Set a line to agiven 0x07 Module number status 0x0D Line number 0x25 Requested state:0x00 Disable 0x01 Enable 0x02 Start loopback 0x03 Terminate loopback Asthe line changes status, the NAS will notify the GW with NLS messages.The correlator in those NLS messages will not be the same as thecorrelator in the SLS message. SCS—Set a group of 0x07 Module numberchannels to a given status 0x0D Line number 0x28 Start Channel number0x29 End Channel number 0x26 Action: 0x00 Reset to idle 0x01 Reset toout of service 0x02 Start loopback 0x03 Terminate loopback 0x04 Block0x05 Unblock 0x27 Option: 0x00 Do not perform the indicated action ifany of the channels is not in the valid initial state. 0x01 Perform theindicated action on channels which are on the valid initial state. Otherchannels are not affected. Action Valid initial state Final state Resetto idle maintenance, blocked, loopback, idle, idle in use, conectedReset to out of maintenance, blocked, loopback, idle, out of serviceservice in use, connected Start loopback idle loopback End loopbackloopback idle Block idle blocked Unblock blocked idle NSCS - Response to0x07 Module number SCS 0x0D Line number 0x28 Start Channel number 0x29End Channel number 0x2A Response code: 0x00 action successfullyperformed in all channels 0x01 at least one channel failed 0x22 Numberof channels 0x23 Channel status: one entry per channelg. Continuity Test Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 13 below provides the Continuity test messages, the parameter tagsand the parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 13 Continuity test Parameter Message Tag Parameter DescriptionPCT—Prepare channel 0x07 Module number for continuity test 0x0D Linenumber 0x15 Channel number APCT—Response to 0x07 Module number PCTrequest 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel number 0x2B Result: 0x00 Resourcesreserved successfully 0x01 Resource not available SCT - Start continuity0x07 Module number test procedure with far 0x0D Line number end asloopback 0x15 Channel number 0x2C Timeout in milliseconds. Default is 2seconds. The SCT command must be received less than 3 seconds after theAPCT was sent. The continuity test performed by the NAS is asfollows: 1. Start tone detection 2. Generate a check tone 3. Start timer4. When tone is detected (minimum of 60 ms): 4.1. Stop timer. 4.2. Stopgenerator 4.2.1. TEST SUCCESSFUL 5. If timer expires: 5.1. Stopgenerator 5.2. TEST FAILED After continuity testing, a channel is alwaysleft in the idle state. ASCT—Continuity 0x07 Module number test result0x0D Line Number 0x15 Channel Number 0x2D Result: 0x00 Test completedsuccessfully 0x01 Test failedh. Keepalive Test Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 14 below provides the Keepalive test messages; the parameter tagsand the parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 14 Keepalive test Parameter Message Tag Parameter DescriptionRTE—Request test echo 0x2E Random characters ARTE—Response to 0x2E Samerandom characters from RTE RTEi. LAN Test Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 15 below provides the LAN test messages, the parameter tags andthe parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 15 LAN test Parameter Message Tag Parameter DescriptionRTP—Request a test 0x02 System ID ping 0x2F IP Address to Ping 0x30Number of pings to send ATP—Response to RTP 0x02 System ID 0x2F IPAddress to Ping 0x30 Number of successful pingsj. DTMF Function Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 16 below provides the DTMF function messages, the parameter tagsand the parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 16 DTMF functions Parameter Message Tag Parameter DescriptionLTN - Listen for 0x07 Module number DTMF tones 0x0D Line number 0x15Channel number 0x31 Time to wait for a tone (since either last toneheard or start of command) - in milliseconds 0x32 Maximum number oftones to recognize 0x34 Tone to cancel the wait If resources areavailable, the NAS starts listening for DTMF tones on the given channel.The procedure is as follows: 1. Starts timer. 2. When a tone isrecognized: 2.1. Restart timer. 2.2. If the recognized tone is the ‘toneto cancel’, the operation is concluded and a response is generated(cancel tone received). 2.3. Add the tone to the response string. If thenumber of tones on the string exceeds the maximum allowed, the operationis concluded and a response is generated (max tones received). 2.4. Whenthe tone is removed, restart the timer and continue from step 2. 2.5. Ifthe timer expires, the operation is concluded and a response isgenerated (tone too long). 3. If the timer expires, the operation isconcluded and a response is generated (timeout). ALTN - Response to 0x07Module number LTN 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel number 0x35 Completionstatus: 0x00 Timeout 0x01 No resources available for this operation 0x02Operation was interrupted 0x03 Cancel tone received 0x04 Maximum tonesreceived 0x05 Tone too long 0x32 Number of tones received 0x33 String oftones received (ASCII characters ‘0’-‘9’, ‘*’, ‘#’) STN - Send DTMF 0x07Module number tones 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel number 0x32 Number oftones to send 0x33 String of Tones to send (ASCII characters ‘0’-‘9’,‘*’, ‘#’, ‘d’ - contiguous dialtone, ‘b’ - contiguous user busy, ‘n’ -contiguous network busy, ‘s’ - short pause, ‘r’ - contiguous ringback)ASTN - Completion 0x07 Module number result of STN 0x0D Line numbercommand 0x15 Channel number 0x36 Completion status: 0x00 Operationsucceeded 0x01 Operation failed 0x02 Operation was interruptedk. Inbound Call Handling Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 17 below provides the Inbound call handling messages, theparameter tags and the parameter descriptions (associated with thesemessages).

TABLE 17 Inbound call handling Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription RCSI—Request inbound 0x07 Module number call setup 0x0D Linenumber 0x15 Channel number 0x17 Bearer Capability of the Channel (BCC)required for the call. 0x19 Called Phone number 0x18 Calling Partynumber This message is a notification from the GW to the NAS that aninbound call is pending. The NAS should respond with an ACSI messageindicating if it accepts or with an ACR if it rejects the call. Thevalid channel states for this command are idle or loopback. If thechannel is in loopback state, loopback mode is ended and the callproceeds. ACSI—Accept inbound 0x07 Module number call setup 0x0D Linenumber 0x15 Channel number This message is a notification from the NASto the GW that an inbound call has been accepted. Appropriate resourceshave been reserved at the NAS for this call. CONI—Connect inbound 0x07Module number call (answer) 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel number 0x40Call identifier assigned by the NAS This message is an indication fromthe NAS to the GW to answer an inbound call.l. Outbound Call Handling Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 18 below provides the Outbound call handling messages, theparameter tags and the parameter descriptions (associated with thesemessages).

TABLE 18 Outbound call handling Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription RCSO—Request 0x07 Module number outbound call setup 0x0DLine number 0x15 Channel number 0x17 Bearer Capability of the Channel(BCC) required for the call. 0x19 Called Phone number¹ 0x18 CallingParty number¹ 0x37 Destination module² 0x38 Destination line² 0x39Destination channel² 0x40 Call identifier assigned by the NAS³ If thecall is initiated by the NAS, the Module, Line and Channel numbers areset to 0, because it is up to the GW to assign an appropriate channelfor the outgoing call. If the call is initiated by the GW, the Module,Line and Channel numbers indicate the channel that should be connectedto the outbound call. The NAS will place a call in one of its regulartrunks (such as an ISDN PRI line). The GW or the NAS will respond with aACSO (if the call was accepted) or with a RCR (if the call wasrejected). When the outbound call is established, it will be connectedto the channel specified by the tags 0x07/0x0D/0x15. ACSO—Accept 0x07Module number outbound call setup 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel numberIf the call was initiated by the NAS, this is a notification from the GWthat an outbound call was accepted and it is pending. The Gateway shouldsend an RCR message if it wants to reject a call. If the call wasinitiated by the GW, this is a notification from the NAS that anoutbound call was accepted and it is pending. The NAS would have sent anRCR message if it wanted to reject a call. CONO—Outbound 0x07 Modulenumber call connected 0x0D Line number 0x15 Channel number 0x40 Callidentifier assigned by the NAS.⁴ This message is a notification from theGW to the NAS that an outbound call has been connected. ¹Optional - canbe omitted. When RCSO is initiated by the Gateway, either this tag orcomplete address of the TDM destination channel must be present for theNAS to establish a call. ²Optional. Meaningful only for outbound callsinitiated by the Gateway. If the address of a TDM destination channel ispresent, the specified channel will be used to setup the outbound partof the call. ³Present only when RCSO is originated by the NAS. ⁴Presentonly if this call was initiated by the Gateway.m. Pass-through Call Handling Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 19 below provides the Pass-through call handling messages, theparameter tags and the parameter descriptions (associated with thesemessages).

TABLE 19 Pass-through call handling Parameter Message Tag ParameterDescription RCST—Request pass- 0x07 From Module number through callsetup (TDM 0x0D From Line number connection between two 0x15 FromChannel number channels) 0x17 Bearer Capability of the Channel (BCC)required for the call. 0x37 To Module number 0x38 To Line number 0x39 ToChannel number This message is a request from the GW to the NAS to linktwo channels. The NAS should respond with an ACST if it accepts theconnection or with a RCR if it rejects the connection. The indicatedchannels are interconnected at the time slot level. The NAS will notperform any rate adaptation. It is the Gateway's responsibility tospecify compatible channels. ACST—Accept pass- 0x07 From Module numberthrough call 0x0D From Line number 0x15 From Channel number 0x37 ToModule number 0x38 To Line number 0x39 To Channel number This message isa notification from the NAS to the GW that a TDM connection has beenaccepted and connected. The two indicated channels are now connected.n. Call Clearing Messages{TC \I4″}

Table 20 below provides the Call clearing messages, the parameter tagsand the parameter descriptions (associated with these messages).

TABLE 20 Call clearing Parameter Message Tag Parameter DescriptionRCR—Release channel 0x07 Module number request 0x0D Line number 0x15Channel number 0xFE ISDN cause code In the case of a pass-through call(TDM connection), the channel identified should be the ‘from’ side.ACR—Release channel 0x07 Module number completed 0x0D Line number 0x15Channel number 0xFE ISDN cause code

6. Control Message Parameters{TC \I3″}

Table 21 below provides a listing of the control message parameters, andthe control messages which use these message parameters. Morespecifically, Table 21 provides the tags associated with the parameters,the size (in bytes) of the parameters, the type of the parameters (e.g.,ASCII), the parameter descriptions, and the control messages which usethe parameters.

TABLE 21 Size Tag (bytes) Type Parameter description Usage 0x00 0 Endmarker All messages. 0x01 1 UINT Protocol version NSUP 0x02 1 to 24ASCII System ID/Serial Number NUSP, ASUP, NSDN, RST1, ARST1, RST2,ARST2, NSI, SGWI, RGWS, NGWS 0x03 9 ASCII System type NSUP, NSI 0x04 2UINT Max. number of modules NSUP, NSI (slot cards) supported 0x05 8 Baynumber NSUP, NSI, NBN 0x06 1 Reboot acknowledgment ARST2 0x07 2 UINTModule number RMI, NMI, RLI, NLI, RCI, NCI, SLI, ASLI, RMS, RLS, RCS,NMS, NLS, NCS, SMS, SLS, SCS, NSCS, PCT, APCT, SCT, ASCT, LTN, ALTN,STN, ASTN, RCSI, ACSI, CONI, RCSO, ACSO, CONO, RCST, ACST, RCR, ACR 0x082 UINT Number of lines on this NMI, NMS module 0x09 16 ASCII Module nameNMI 0x0A 1 Module type NMI 0x0B 1 Module capabilities NMI 0x0C 1 ModuleModule status NMS Status 0x0D 2 UINT Line number RLI, NLI, RCI, NCI,SLI, ASLI, RLS, RCS, NLS, NCS, SLS, SCS, NSCS, PCT, APCT, SCT, ASCT,LTN, ALTN, STN, ASTN, RCSI, ACSI, CONI, RCSO, ACSO, CONO, RCST, ACST,RCR, ACR 0x0E 2 UINT Number of channels on NLI, NLS this line 0x0F 16ASCII Line name NLI, SLI 0x10 1 Line coding NLI, SLI 0x11 1 Line framingNLI, SLI 0x12 1 Line signaling details NLI, SLI 0x13 1 Line in-bandsignaling NLI, SLI details 0x14 1 Line Line status NLS Status 0x15 2UINT Channel number RCI, NCI, RCS, NCS, SCS, NSCS, PCT, APCT, SCT, ASCT,LTN, ALTN, STN, ASTN, RCSI, ACSI, CONI, RCSO, ACSO, CONO, RCST, ACST,RCR, ACR 0x16 1 Channel Channel status NCS Status 0x17 1 Bearercapability NCI, RCSI, RCSO, RCST 0x18 24 ASCII Calling party number NCI,RCSI, RCSO 0x19 24 ASCII Dialed number NCI, RCSI, RCSO 0x1A 4 TIMEChannel status change NCI timestamp 0x1B 4 Ipaddr Primary Gateway IPNGWI, SGWI, NGWS 0x1C 2 UINT Primary Gateway TCP port NGWI, SGWI, NGWS0x1D 4 Ipaddr Secondary Gateway IP NGWI, SGWI, NGWS 0x1E 2 UINTSecondary Gateway TCP NGWI, SGWI, NGWS port 0x1F 1 Gateway selector NGWS0x20 2 UINT Number of lines in the NMS Line status array 0x21 VariableLine Line status array NMS Status 0x22 2 UINT Number of channels in theNLS Channel status array 0x23 Variable Channel Channel status array NLSStatus 0x24 1 Requested module state SMS 0x25 1 Requested line state SLS0x26 1 Requested channel status SCS 0x27 1 Set channel status option SCS0x28 2 UINT Channel number first (for SCS, NSCS grouping) 0x29 2 UINTChannel number last (for SCS, NSCS grouping) 0x2A 1 “Set channel status”result NSCS 0x2B 1 “Prepare for continuity APCT check” result 0x2C 2UINT Continuity timeout SCT 0x2D 1 Continuity test result ASCT 0x2E 0 to16 Test echo RTE, ARTE 0x2F 4 Ipaddr Test ping address RTP, ATP 0x30 2UINT Test ping: Number of RTP, ATP packets 0x31 2 UINT DTMF listen timeLTN 0x32 1 UINT DTMF number of tones LTN, ALTN, STN 0x33 Variable ASCIIDTMF string (‘0’-‘9’, ‘A’-‘D’, ALTN, STN ‘*’, ‘#’) 0x34 1 BYTE DTMF toneto cancel the LTN waiting 0x35 1 DTMF listen completion ALTN status 0x361 DTMF send completion STN status 0x37 2 UINT TDM destination ModuleRCST, ACST, RCSO (gw) 0x38 2 UINT TDM destination Line RCST, ACST, RCSO(gw) 0x39 2 UINT TDM destination channel RCST, ACST, RCSO (gw) 0x40 2UINT Call identifier (RAS's CONI, CONO, RCSO (nas) Route ID) 0x41 1 BYTET1 front-end type SLI, NLI 0x42 1 BYTE T1 CSU build-out SLI, NLI 0x43 1BYTE T1 DSX line length SLI, NLI 0xFE 1 UINT ISDN cause code RCR, ACR,others

7. A Detailed View of the Control Messages{TC \I3″}

The following section provides a detailed view of the flow of controlmessages between GW 508 and NAS bay 902. Included are the source (eitherGW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevant comments describing the messageflow.

a. Startup Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 22 below provides the Startup flow, including the step, thecontrol message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevantcomments.

TABLE 22 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 NSUP NAS coming up. The messagecontains server information, including number of modules in the system.2 ASUPb. Module Status Notification {TC \I4″}

Table 23 below provides the Module status notification flow, includingthe step, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) andrelevant comments.

TABLE 23 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 NMS Notify module status. 2 If themodule is in the UP state: 3 RMI Request module information 4 NMI Notifymodule information (including number of lines in this module).c. Line Status Notification Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 24 below provides the Line status notification flow, including thestep, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) andrelevant comments.

TABLE 24 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 NLS Notify line status. 2 If theline is in the UP state: 3 RLI Request line information 4 NLI Notifyline information (including number of channels).

Note: Channels will remain in the our-of-service state until the linebecomes available. At that time, the channels will be set to the idlestate. The Gateway must then explicitly disable or block channels thatshould not be in the idle state.

d. Blocking of Channels Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 25 below provides the Blocking of channels flow, including thestep, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) andrelevant comments.

TABLE 25 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 SCS Set a group of channels to beblocked state. 2 RSCS Message indicates if the operation was successfulor if it failed.e. Unblocking of Channels Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 26 below provides the Unblocking of channels flow, including thestep, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) andrelevant comments.

TABLE 26 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 SCS Set a group of channels to beunblocked state. 2 RSCS Message indicates if the operation wassuccessful or if it failed.f. Inbound Call Flow (Without Loopback Continuity Testing){TC \I4″}

Table 27 below provides the Inbound call flow (without loopbackcontinuity testing), including the step, the control message source(either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevant comments.

TABLE 27 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCSI Setup for inbound call ongiven module/line/ channel 2 ACSI Accept inbound call. At this time, theNAS may start any Radius lookup, etc. 3 CONI Connect (answer) inboundcall.g. Inbound Call Flow (With Loopback Continuity Testing){TC \I4″}

Table 28 below provides the Inbound call flow (without loopbackcontinuity testing), including the step, the control message source(either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevant comments.

TABLE 28 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 SCS Set a channel to the loopbackstate. 2 RSCS Message indicates if the operation was successful or if itfailed. 3 If the gateway determines that the test was successful: 3.1RCSI Setup for inbound call on given module/line/ channel. 3.2 ACSIAccept/Reject inbound call. At this time, the NAS may start any Radiuslookup, etc. 3.3 CONI Connect (answer) inbound call. 4 If the gatewaydetermines that the test was not successful: 4.1 SCS Release a channelfrom the loopback state (back to idle state) 4.2 RSCS Message indicatesif the operation was successful or if it failed.h: Outbound Call Flow (Starting from the NAS){TC \I4″}

Table 29 below provides the Outbound call flow (starting from the NAS),including the step, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay902) and relevant comments.

TABLE 29 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCSO Request outbound call. Notethat the NAS doesn't know yet what module/line/channel will be used forthe call and so, they are set to 0. 2 ACSO Accept/Reject outbound callon module/line/ channel. This message is used by the Gateway to notifythe NAS which module/ line/channel will be used for the call. If the NAScan't process the call on that channel, it should issue a Releasecommand. 3 CONO Outbound call answered by called party.i. Outbound Call Flow (Starting from the GW){TC \I4″}

Table 30 below provides the Outbound call flow (starting from the GW),including the step, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay902) and relevant comments.

TABLE 30 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCSO Request outbound call. TheGateway indicates the channel that should be connected to the outboundcall. 2 ACSO Accept/Reject outbound call on module/line/ channel. TheNAS will place the call using one of the interfaces (such as an ISDN PRIline). 3 CONO Outbound call answered by called party. The pass-throughconnection is established.j. Outbound Call. Flow (Starting from the NAS, with ContinuityTesting){TC \I4″}

Table 31 below provides the Outbound call flow (starting from the NAS,with continuity testing), including the step, the control message source(either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevant comments.

TABLE 31 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCSO Request outbound call. Notethat the NAS doesn't know yet what module/line/ channel will be used forthe call and so, they are set to 0. 2 The Gateway requests a continuitytest: 2.1 RPCT Prepare for Continuity test 2.2 APCT Accept continuitytest 2.3 SCT Start continuity test. If the NAS doesn't receive thiscommand within 3 seconds of sending an APCT, the continuity test will becanceled and all reserved resources will be released. 2.4 ASCTContinuity test result. 3 ACSO Accept outbound call on module/line/channel. This message is used by the Gateway to notify the NAS whichmodule, line and channel will be used for the call. If the NAS can'tprocess the call on that channel, it should issue a Release command. 4CONO Outbound call answered by called party.k. TDM Pass-through Call Request Flow (Inter-switch Connection){TC \I4″}

Table 32 below provides the TDM pass-through call request flow(inter-switch connection), including the step, the control messagesource (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevant comments.

TABLE 32 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCST Gateway requests a given pairof module/ line/channel to be interconnected for inter- trunk switching.2 ACST Accept/Reject inter-trunk switch connection.I. Call Releasing Flow (from NAS){TC \I4″}

Table 33 below provides the Call releasing flow (from NAS), includingthe step, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) andrelevant comments:

TABLE 33 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCR NAS needs to release a call(for example, it received an LCP TRMREQ). 2 ACR When Gateway completesthe release, it notifies the NAS.m. Call Releasing Flow (from GW){TC \I4″}

Table 34 below provides the call releasing flow (from GW), including thestep, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) andrelevant comments.

TABLE 34 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RCR Gateway requests to release acall (for example, the remote end hung up). 2 ACR When the NAS completesthe release, it notifies the Gateway.n. Complex Outbound Call Request Flow Example{TC \I4″}

Table 35 below provides an Complex outbound call request flow example,including the step, the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay902) and relevant comments. The reader is referred to FIG. 12 for anillustration and state flow diagrams 18A and 18B.

TABLE 35 Step From To Message Comments NAS#1 GW RCSO NAS#1 requests anoutbound call. Gateway determines that the best route to destination isthrough a PRI line on NAS#3. To get there, it will use NAS#2 as a switchpoint. The Gateway selects channel 1/2/3 on NAS#1 for this call. GWNAS#2 RCST Gateway asks NAS#2 to establish a TDM connection betweenchannel 2/3/3 and channel 4/5/6. NAS#2 GW ACST NAS#2 accepts andconnects the connection. GW NAS#3 RCSO Gateway asks NAS#3 to place acall to the destination and connect it to the channel 6/7/6. NAS#3 GWACSO NAS#3 accepts the outbound connection and starts setting up theoutbound call on PRI #1. GW NAS#1 ACSO Gateway tells NAS#1 that the callis proceeding. NAS#3 GW CONO NAS#3 reports the outbound call has beenconnected. GW NAS#1 CONO The call has been connected.o. Continuity Test Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 36 below provides the Continuity test flow, including the step,the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevantcomments.

TABLE 36 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RPCT Prepare for continuity test. 2APCT Accept continuity test. 3 SCT Start continuity test. If the NASdoesn't receive this command within 3 seconds of sending an APCT, thecontinuity test will be canceled and all reserved resources will bereleased. 4 ASCT Continuity test result.p. Keep-alive Test Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 37 below provides the Keep-alive test flow, including the step,the control message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevantcomments.

TABLE 37 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RTE Response test echo is sent. 2ARTE A response to test echo is sent.q. Reset Request Flow{TC \I4″}

Table 38 below provides the Reset request flow, including the step, thecontrol message source (either GW 508 or NAS bay 902) and relevantcomments.

TABLE 38 Step Gateway NAS Comments 1 RST1 First step. 2 ARST1 3 RST2Second step. If the NAS doesn't receive this command within 5 seconds ofsending an ARST1, it will not reboot. 4 ARST2 The NAS starts the rebootprocedure. 5 NSDN NAS is now rebooting.

V. CONCLUSION{TC \I1″}

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of thepresent invention should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for bypassing public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) carrier network facilities, comprising: providing an openarchitecture platform independent of the Regional Bell Operating Company(RBOC) switching hierarchy comprising at least a network access node, aplurality of tandem access nodes, and a network communicativelyconnecting the network access node to the plurality of tandem accessnodes; communicatively connecting each of a plurality of PSTN tandemswitches and a plurality of third party voice switches to at least oneof the plurality of tandem access nodes, wherein at least a first PSTNtandem switch of the plurality of PSTN tandem switches iscommunicatively connected to subscribers via an end office switch; andswitching traffic between the plurality of PSTN tandem switches, the atleast on network access node and the plurality of third party voiceswitches using the plurality of tandem access nodes, the switching actcomprising: (i) receiving signaling information associated with atelecommunications call made by a first subscriber of the plurality ofsubscribers, wherein the signaling information comprises an identifier;and (ii) analyzing the identifier to determine whether to send thetelecommunications call to the at least one network access node or toone of the plurality of voice switches.